<strong>Daemon Seed Incursion - The Root Course</strong><br/>Group A - Flying Tengu, Guancyto, Schnookums, Soi Lua<br/><br/>You are within the elven kingdom of Meyras, near its southeastern borders, but still within the massive, primeval forest of Naveron which encompasses most of the kingdom. It is mid day, but the canopy of the trees provides a fine shade and the rustle of a breeze drifting through causes the shadows around to stir a moment then fall still.<br/><br/>Before you is a giant gnarled tree that towers well above the others, its trunk seeming at least 100' wide in diameter. The canopy of the other trees obscures most of its own leaves from your sight, but you imagine it would look like a massive umbrella over this part of the forest. Its great roots extend not just from the base of the tree but also up to 10' high, growing in tangled downward fan, above the other roots before disappearing deep beneath the earth. Ferns, vines and other smaller plants grow along these roots, occasionally obscuring spaces beneath them.<br/><br/>It is from one of these bowers under the great ancient tree that an elf emerges from behind a curtain of vines, greeting you all with a friendly wave. He wears reddish brown robes with a staff, is clean shaven with dark brown hair, but his thick brows branch from inward to outward two branches, making him look angry and fitting the description given to you by the elven commander. This is the druid Aldemaar that you have been looking for, and if one did not know better, one might reasonably assume he is a mage, and an angry one at that.<br/><br/>"Come, warden Threvassius had informed me to expect you. I have been stationed close by, near the area where we have lost some settlements of late, to keep watch on movements of the creatures that have encroached upon us from the Shattered Plains to the south."<br/><br/>He pauses a while then looks at all of you.<br/><br/>"Hmm all females... anyway, my findings are disturbing enough that this warrants some looking into. From my scrying, the depopulated hamlets arent destroyed, and in fact it seems some elves and humanoid captives are being shipped in by the enemy, guarded by foul creatures like orcs and usual vermin and often a source of entertainment for them.<br/><br/>We are not sure why, but they must have some nefarious scheme for them, yet it seems the influence of wild magic surges from the Shattered Plains is somehow expanding and scrying on the villages is more difficult. My animal scouts have also reported plant growth along the southern reaches is changing and warping, but we are not sure how or why. Perhaps some ritual sacrifice or defilement involving the captives, using life to pervert life? I shudder to imagine what could be the fate of these poor slaves.<br/><br/>Regardless, as a guardian of nature, unlike some twisted wizards, I have zero interest in trying to spy on them and figure out their perverted magics, much rather just free everyone and slaughter the depraved bastards. This map shows the location of a nearby hamlet in the forest, called Gwaiho by former inhabitants, that just recently was reoccupied by slaves and their guards. Go and free the slaves. If you can find out what and how they are doing to pervert the land, let us know, but rescue is more important.<br/><br/>Separately, I understand about one and a half months ago, a band including two of my fellow druids, couple of clerics and mages and what not, headed out into the Shattered Plains. I believe they are all long dead, but they may or may not have left clues in the hamlets they passed through before heading out there. If you chance across anything, let me know.<br/><br/>Any questions before you set off?"<br/><br/>========<br/><br/>OOC<br/>Assume you have stocked up adequately at an elven arbor lodge (city) where you met warden Threvassius.