Faye
"Well,,,shit."

 It was all Ehkan Norran, the famed Son of the Sun, could say as he stood in the middle of the clearing. A clearing that rather than being littered by leaves blown from the nearby trees, was now littered with the mangled corpses of people and animals alike. 

 The grass had died, turned into a pale yellow, and the birds had evaded here entirely. Not even crows had come to feast on the remains of these unfortunate souls, and crows always ate. 

 When the Guild told him of what had happened, Ehkan had thought it exaggerated. Humans and beasts always had an altercation here and there, and it was bound to happen with the city encroaching on the forest. 

 But this was different. More savage. 

 And yet...

 He looked over the beast corpses around him. Different animals, animals that had no business together, they would even have killed each other given the chance. An owlbear, a peryton, and even a bicorn. There was no reason they should even be this way. 

 He leaned down and inspected them, frowning at their states. Even before the killing blows from the mortals, these animals seemed sick. Their fur was patchy, and their skin seemed far to be covered in odd holes.

 It was not necromancy. Ehkan was versed in that well enough to know. This was something else. 

 He stood up and looked into the forest. The silence coming from it was a warning, a warning he would have listened to if he was smart. But unfortunately, Ehkan had been hit too many times in the head, so his sense of caution was a bit wonky. Still, he had to be a bit careful here.

 Though the guild had sent him on account of their confidence in dealing with situations, he could not deny the need for assistance.

"Golda." Upon speaking her name his falcon familiar formed on his shoulder. She looked at the place in front of them and then back at Ehkan, a sense of worry in her ethereal eyes, but her master only looked forward as he gave her orders. 

 "Fly back around, as far as our bond line can stretch, and get the attention of anyone you think is capable. Lead them to me. Go." The falcon nodded and shot from his shoulder, leaving the elf to ponder for a moment.

 Wait for help or go into the forest.

 He tapped his spear against the ground a few times, and then with a deep breath, the Son of the Sun stepped into the silent woods.
Mark
Lyanna sucked her teeth once they rounded a large tree to find yet another abandoned animal carcass. Flies and maggots cling to every orifice of the dead boar, and a heavy sickly sweet smell— the smell of death was known all too well by the Dryad— wafted off the beast and assaulted Lyanna's nose. They didn't back away instantly but instead gave a grimace. This was the fourth dead animal they came across. 

**"Laika,"** They addressed the gray wolf who remained tense by their side. They merely held up a hand and the wolf sat back on their hind legs. Laika's ears pulled back and her eyes remained pierced on the animal. As if awaiting for an attack. 

Lyanna approached the dead animal with caution. Their footsteps light, the wind that picked up pulled their long hair away from their delicate facial features and up to the wind, like a waving red flag. When they crouched by the animal's belly, they noticed the grass surrounding the boar to be bereft of vibrance. It was yellow, and directly beneath the boar, dark brown. Dead. The grass was dead. 

Lyanna didn't touch the animal and instead inspected it from their knelt position. Its fur, just like the other carcasses they've found, was thin. Areas across their ribs held little to no meat, as if something ate away at it. The ribs were prominent, they protruded out from underneath the skin. 

Arrows, five in number, jutted out from the beasts. Odd. Had it been struck the *Once*, the animal would've no doubt scampered off. And if it hadn't, and it charged on, the beast would've been killed and taken by the hunter for supper. Yet, the beast was struck multiple times and was left in the forest to rot. Lyanna also took into account the grass— the trees and other plants that surrounded the area, it all held a gray-ish hue that pointed to something wrong. Something *Off*. And just like the other animals they have come across... 

... It all pointed to corruption. 
_ _

Lyanna lowered their head and sent a soft prayer. They rose to their full height. The throbbing anger that was nestled deep within them started to rear its ugly head as they stared down at the boar. Whoever had done this was going to pay. Painfully. Slowly. They weren't the sort to succumb to such violence, but for the good of the forest they *Would*. 

The Dryad was about to set off down the dirt path, and turned to whistle for Laika when the wolf pointedly stared up towards the sky. The Dryad squinted up at a falcon circling up above, once, then twice— perhaps to grab the two's attention— flew low then off. The direction the opposite from whence the two came. 

Without much hesitation, the Dryad pursued the falcon flying above, but on ground, their feet swift. Laika followed closely behind.
Faye
Ehkan never enjoyed silence. People believe that the forest is often quiet, but the truth is that it is noisy. Crickets, birds, and small rodents running through the bushes created an ambiance that sings to all listening. 

 However, this forest was quieter than a graveyard at a high moon. 

 He moved with his spear and shield ahead of him, eyes searching for some sign, but all he came across was dying grass. The corpses had only been in the clearing, and the tracks he saw were too scattered for even him to track. 

 He stopped a few times to look down a new path of trampled grass, however, he never went down it. Instead, he stalked forward, deeper into the forest in hopes of seeing something to answer his questions. 

 Then he saw an Ent standing a few feet ahead of him and swiftly leaped back to hide behind a tree. He took a few deep breaths before peaking out to confirm what he saw, and there it was again, leaning over a carcass with a sense of sadness across its face. So he was not insane, just surprised, and rightfully so. 

 First carcasses of sick animals now an Ent? Just what in the realms had the Guild sent him into? 

 Ehkan heard a bird cry and looked up to see Golda. His Familiar had also caught the attention of the Ent, who looked up at the gold falcon before its gaze fell on Ehkan, and he cursed under his breath when their eyes met.

 He was never great at stealth.

**Rule one of the guardian creatures; show no hostility.**

 Ehkan lowered his spear to the ground and followed suit, bowing to the creature as sweat rolled down his forehead. His knowledge of them was limited, and because of that, he stayed still for a while. When no harm came to him he raised his head slowly and looked at it. 

 It was beauty in a different way from what he was used to, glowing leaves floated from its head to form hair, and horns made from branches pointed to the sky. 

 Like a Dryad but more... Ancient.

 The Ent looked at him, then turned back to the carcasses by its side. Ehkan stepped forward slowly and then saw another set of carcasses, only this time, rather than being killed by weapons, these animals were covered in claw scars and bite marks. 

 There was also a distinction between the animals. Some were the sick animals that he had seen earlier, and others were healthy, though they were dead. 

 This had been a battle. Even the Ent had a few scratches across its wood-like skin. But why would these beasts fight one another? 

 *Behind*

 Ehkan heard Golda's warning in his head and spun around with his spear raised, waiting for who his Familiar had brought to his aide.
Mark
The Dryad continued to follow the falcon overhead. Every so often, Lyanna halted, for a brief moment, to inspect more dead animals. Each in the same state as the boar from earlier. The Dryad merely exchanged a look with their wolf before both trudged on ahead. Eventually, they slowed to a stop once they were met with a peculiar scene.

Emerging from around a large tree— the very same the sun elf had hid behind just mere moments before— a dryad with light green skin slinked into view. Under the faded sunlight that streamed through the green canopy above, the dryad's features were delicately poised. A brow rose once their eyes fixated on the spear directed at them. Its bright green color darkened as it then darted from the sun elf to the Ent just a couple of feet away. Then at the dead animal the creature leaned over.

Their tall—*Six foot nine*— figure was wrapped in a collection of leaves and vines with bits of vibrant flower petals that broke off and floated to the ground as they slowly approached. Their arms stiff at their side, their chin raised. The nature spirit took in the others appearance, then the golden falcon. Immediately, they understood they were led straight to the man. Although the man wielding a weapon didn't seem to have caused the forests' current predicament, the dryad still regarded him with caution. So did their wolf by the looks of it. Laika stood on all fours right by the Dryad. Her gaze predatory and locked onto the elf, watching for any sudden movement. 

The wind that blew through the dense forest was the only sound for a beat before Lyanna finally spoke up. **"Lower your weapon, Elf."** Although it came out heavy accented— they usually struggled with the common tongue— their tone was firm. Assured. **"Your falcon led me here. I do not wish to fight unnecessarily."**
_ _

The nature spirit turned to the Ent but continued in their common tongue, still addressing the half wood elf. **"I come searching for the source of this corruption."** They nodded at the dead grass.
Faye
A Dryad, an Ent, and a Wood Elf... All that was missing was a wood golem, and this would be nature's best dream. 

 Ehkan lowered his spear and sighed in relief. The Dryad's common tongue was heavy, but he got the gist of it. "Well, thank the gods, because I was already frightened of the Ent, but she seems..." 

 He looked at the mystical being. It was looking between them with its glowing eyes and studying them in awkward silence."Distraught? I do not know." 

 He looked at the carcasses. From what he could tell, the infected beasts had come down from somewhere deeper in the forest, meaning this Ent had defended itself against them, and also, despite their madness, there was a sense of coordination behind their attacks.

 They were heading towards the city, towards people, and that meant something was controlling them. 

 He bent down and poked at the carcass of the Owlbear, a younging by the size of it, meaning it would have been wary of even coming this far out from the deeper parts of the forest. 

 He looked back at the Dryad. "I apologize for my rudeness. I am Ehkan Norran Kippat of the Adventure Guild. I was sent here to check on this matter as well. Also, do you speak another tongue? Your Common is..." He paused to find a kind word. "Difficult."
Mark
The Dryad's lips curled in distaste when the other prodded the dead Owlbear. It felt like an affront to the wildlife, but the nature spirit remained stoutly silent. After having heard the Wood elf—Ekhan— out, they let out a sigh. They glanced over at the Ent once more— the latter's gaze watchful, saddened. 

Lyanna didn't, for a moment, regard the guardian flippantly. The dryad understood exactly what sort of beings Ents were. Lyanna considered her with caution but also respect. A balance the Dryad displayed visibly, as their green eyes roamed over the Ents' battered figure. It was clear enough to Lyanna that the Ent had fought off something, whether it was warranted, the deaths that now littered the ground, puzzled Lyanna. 

To Ekhan, Lyanna introduced themself. Curt, and to the point. **"Lyanna. This one here is Laika."** They nodded down at the female gray wolf. The animal's fierce gaze never once left Ekhan. 

Lyanna didn't take much offense to him drawing attention to their accent. A whisper of a smile graced their lips.**"You will have to forgive my way of saying things. I am not that good with the common tongue. I believe it has been... Fifty years—? Since I last spoke to outsiders."** Outsiders meaning outside the Wilds of Alynthi.

With a wave of their hand, leaves fluttering off their skin, the Dryad gestured towards the Ent. **"I can ask for the cause of this. Me and the Ent speak Slyvan, as does many of the guardians of this forest. So you are in luck.. Ekhan."** The wood elf's name left their lips, as if testing his name, and was unsure.
_ _

Then Lyanna steeled themself. The Dryad turned towards the Ent, a part of them mentally preparing to tread lightly. **"The animals.."** Lyanna started in perfect Sylvan. Their footsteps were light as they crossed carefully over a decayed carcass. **"They attacked you, yes? Me and this—"** Dare they say friend? —**"Elf here want to merely help stop this."** The Ent flinched and seemingly gathered itself. As if the words *Stop* Had rejuvenated the last shreds of energy. For a brief moment, cold and stinging fear gripped Lyanna, afraid they would have to fight the creature. 

**"We wish you and your part of the forest no harm. But we require some answers— please."** The Dryad's tone dipped as they made a gentle appeal. 

The Ents' eyes glowered at Lyanna. Although they seemed outwardly guarded, Lyanna didn't take it to mean anything hostile— at least not yet. After a prolonged, and heavy silence, it spoke. The words laced with exhaustion, and palatable frustration. **"'tis best you do not. You cannot do what you came here to do. This thing is one of us."** It's bark-like skin shifted as it turned away, dismissing the three that stood there. 

Lyanna's brows furrowed. **"A fae? What do you—"**

The Ent's voice cut through Lyanna's inquiry, **"—this one has been corrupted. Go back to your Grove, and the elf to whence he came—"** It gestured with thickened and destroyed branches towards Ekhan— **"You both will not survive. You will die, worshipper of Galedrial. There will be no glory in your death. Many have tried to stop this but it is futile. Heed my warning."** 
_ _

Lyanna did the courtesy of relaying the information back to Ekhan, at every word, but just then they faltered. The firm warning chilled them. They scanned the dead carcasses as if the answers were there, as if it would reaffirm their decision to go forward. The dead remained silent and so did the Ent. After saying their peace, they trudged near a dead crow and held it in their jagged and branch-like hands. It bowed as if in prayer, its back towards Lyanna and the others. The Ent was done with them. 

**"The Ent has given us a warning. But also a direction."** Lyanna said to Ekhan, again, in their heavily-accented common tongue. **"We are looking for another fae-like creature, one that was a guardian like them. Who could speak to animals and plants alike by the looks of... This."** A quick gesture to the scene, then, Lyanna jutted their chin at the trail of dead plants and animals, leading deeper into the forest. **"We must continue. That way."**
Faye
The Son of the Sun scratched his beard as Lyanna and the Ent spoke. He could not pick up on what they were saying and relied on Lyanna's translation, and although their accent was thicker than the vines that made their hair, he managed to get the gist of what was going on. 

 A corrupted fae, mad animals, terrible death... Everything that makes this more of a headache than he wished it was. 

 Ehkan sighed into his palm and rubbed the bridge of his nose in thought. This was building into something more dangerous, and if he had another adventurer present, he might feel adequate for this, but all the company he had was the dryad and their wolf. 

 He was unsure of their combat prowess, and if this was coming from somewhere deeper in the forest, then chances were they were bound to fight some more dangerous monsters. 

 He could not send Golda back home because their bond line could not hold that distance, and he could not go back because he was uncertain of how long it would take to gather more people to his aid by convincing the higher-ups.

 He muttered a curse in Infernal before looking up at Lyanna. "Alright. Firstly, we're dealing with this language barrier. How is your elvish?" 

 He did not wait for their reply, instead, he pointed to the Ent, switching to his Elvish tongue. "Tell her, kindly, that we would be going in, regardless of her warning. There are too many fae guardians out there, and unfortunately, my knowledge of them is limited. You seem to know your way about the forest more than me, which is saying something, so my only question is can you fight?"
 
 He looked down the trail, and the ominous atmosphere made him regret how brave and foolish he could be. "Because chances are whatever did all this is sending down reinforcements."
Mark
After relaying the information back to the wood elf, Lyanna was slightly miffed. Ekhan stating that there was a language barrier irked the Dryad. After all, they had effectively translated the Ent's warning, it held clear indication that they had a good grasp of the language, be it a bit loosely. The Dryad displayed capability at comprehending the Common tongue. Yet Ekhan stated they, their communication skills, were lacking. The years— *Fifty, as they said*— Lyanna had been sheltered away from civilization, sticking to their mundane but comfortable life, within the wilds of Alynthi, may have been the reasoning for the issue in the first place.

Their phobia of outsiders and their ilk, the refusal of leaving the comfort of their vast home, were factors as to why they've never improved their tongue. When Ekhan had asked about their combat skills, Lyanna almost scoffed. They had training, *Extensive* Training, in the art of fighting. Although it was mostly defensive, they were proficient in protecting themself and all who they care about. 

Passing memories of their time from long ago, the remembrance of their Druid circle entered their weary mind. Blooming behind their mind's eye, and taking ahold of them for a brief moment, the years of training they've done together, their mentor *Miraan* And her tragic death, elicited a squeeze to their heart. As soon as those thoughts had come, they blinked themselves out of their ruminating, staring at the elf before them with a determined look. 

**"I can hold my own, well. I have protected these woods all *Three* Hundred years of my life. Laika as well. She has saved me more than I can count."** They responded in perfect elven. Their tone of voice much more softer now that the accent was gone. **"Whatever we come across, we'll handle it just fine."** They added with finality. Leaving no room for doubt. 
_ _

A pause, then a tilt of their head. **"I don't understand how 'they'"**— The dryad's voice sharpened at that word— **"Can send someone out of their depth, unknowing of the ancient beings that live here, but so be it. I shall guide you all the same. I suggest we leave the Ent to mourn. Let's not disturb her further. We are more than lucky she didn't have us hanged by the throat."**

**"Allow me but a moment."** They briefly touched a tree, the bark there felt more like paper. Close to death. Lyanna proceeded to cast ***Commune with nature***, their intention from the spell allowed them to see a clear path. But also an entity a ways away. The being was fey and large, decay and death cling to its being. Through the nature's eye, Lyanna for a moment caught a glimpse of a being stood amist a radius of dead or dying animals. The control it held over animals.. It was a chill that clawed up the Dryad's spine, and spread like frost over them. They felt the very plants, the *Animals*, seemingly wither in pain as they cried out for Lyanna—or anyone really— to save them. To free them. **"A Leshen,"** Lyanna murmured. The Dryad didn't waste a second before they turned to guide them all deeper into the foliage. As they continued, the woods seem to hug them, emanating humidity that labored the small parties breath. For the density caused for little breeze to blow through. 

The Dryad, however, was free of such conditions. Their complexion remained dry and green, bereft of sweat or any such effects of the rising heat. Their hair remained its vibrant glossy sheen, light and swishing freely behind them as they walked. But the flowers, the very ones that decorated their red tendrils, shriveled, at the petals, and floated gently to the ground in their wake. It worried the Dryad, causing them to glance down, then over to Ekhan with concern before moving up ahead. Laika kept their movements light, in full predatory fashion the deeper the three went.
_ _

Their path ended just behind an opening. The greenery transformed from vibrant greens to a faded shade, close to grey. Muted, as if the contrast had dimmed significantly. Forest plants dipped, drooping towards the ground, dead. The sickly sweet smell, the very same that wafted off the dead, tickled the small parties' noses, as it was ever closer now, and *Heavily* In the air. Whatever was just up ahead, it was bound to cause a shock. What they had come for was *Here* Just passed the wild bushes. They had arrived at the very source of it all. The Dryad gave Ekhan a look, it conveyed a clear message— *Ready yourself*.
_ _
Faye
Ehkan nodded at the Dryad as he raised his spear. He had seen the damage on the way here, and with every step further into the forest, he could see the rot spreading through the land. Flowers bleached of color, and trees turned grey as death bit into them. 

 Lyanna had called this home, and she had defended it for centuries, so seeing it like this must be painful for her, but she seemed to mask it behind resilience, and Ehkan respected that.

 He took a deep breath and stepped forward but halted when he felt a presence from his left. He could hear something approaching, heavy footsteps that shattered roots with no remorse, but Ehkan could not recognize it. 

 Then the hair on his neck shot up as he realized what was about to happen, but before Ehkan could fully unfold the Sundail shield the Tetryon emerged from the bushes and slammed its horns into the Elf, throwing him into the air with so much force he almost blacked out when he crashed back down. 

 Ehkan coughed and clutched his chest in pain. His vision blurred, but he could make out the massive beast that still charged at him, ignoring Lyanna completely, as though he had personally offended it. 

 He slammed a fist against the ground to shock his senses back into play and managed to leap out of the way just as the Tetryon rushed at him.

He rolled back to his feet and let his shield roll out in full, its bronze plates catching the sunlight coming through the trees.

 He was about to call out to Lyanna for help, but from the shadows, he saw the golden eyes of an Owlbear, and soon enough the creature emerged with a harsh shriek. It turned to Lyanna with its claws raised high.

 Ehkan wanted to run to her side, but the Tetryon came back swinging with its electrified claws and he only managed to dodge the attack by a hair.