The Forest

The three of us, Jäger the hunter, Loral the Dwarf priestess of Moradin and myself, a Paladin of the first order of Sir Ganther, set off into the forest beside Falcon's hollow that is situated within Darkmoon Vale.

The forest seemed unwelcoming but nerves can make even the most stout hearted of men feel a little off but watching Jäger's strong strides, I was able to be inspired by him and shook off any doubts or fears I had about venturing into the forest.

After a few hours we found the lumber yard and was soon confronted by a wart of a man named Jarlben Truxhabits.  At least that is what he said he was called.  I did not sense any evil from this man nor did I have any reason to suspect him of lying about his name but I found it hard to place my full trust into this man with his hideous politeness.  He let us know that he was the foreman of the yard and that we were unwelcome.  I hoped that after we explained the nature of our intrusion into his yard that he would be more forthcoming with aid but sadly I was let down.  It took silver to convince him to help us.  I only hope that silver is enough to buy himself some sense of decency before he is judged in the afterlife.

Nevertheless, he calls over Millan, one of his workers in the yard that has sometimes spoken of the Heart of the Forest and how he has been there. Just speaking to Millan for a short while, I could tell he was a genuine man and would not lead us astray.  after we told him the nature of our quest he was more than happy to help.  It transpired that he had a nephew who had become sick with Black Scour so to hear that there is a fresh chance of a cure pleased him greatly.  Not only did he give us better directions to the Heart of the Forest, he also told us of a safe place nearby we could rest for the night as it was becoming dark and he was right, we did need our rest.  Not only had we been slogging it hard all day, we still had a great adventure ahead of us.  I thanked Millan and gave him some coin in order for him to purchase some of Cuthbert's remedy to help his nephew until we had come back with the cure.

We rested well thanks to Millan's directions and we were able to head off as the dawn broke but sadly we were not far off before we came across a dark sight.  Normally finding fairies in the forest can often be a good omen but this was not one of those times.  Some evil being had taken it apon themselves to kill and nail the fairies to a fallen log.  The shock stopped me in my tracks.  None of the three of us could think of a reason as to why some one or thing would do this so we immediately and carefully released them from their horrific scene and buried them.  I offered a short prayer in the hopes that a fairy god would listen and forgive us if we put them to rest in a way that is not becoming of a fairy.  We pressed on with low spirits but with a heightened sense of danger.  Who knows what resides within this seemingly dark forest? We were soon to find out.

Next we were attacked by a pack of wolves.  I was taken by surprise and almost perished if it was not for the skillful eye of Jäger and his accuracy with a bow, or the divine grace of Loral and her ability to heal.  Next we faced a trap expertly found by Jäger.  A hobgoblin had injured a fox and had it bait us out with it's woeful whimpers but Jäger proved to outsmart the hobgoblin and sneaked around as I heartily drew fire from him.  Jäger and his bow once again saved the day as he dispatched the hobgoblin and his pet Razor-Crows.  Once Loral healed my wounds and those of the fox we pressed on even deeper into the forest. It was then we truly realised we had best tread carefully as a wyvern flew close by over us.  It's flapping wings could be heard as it almost blackened out the sky with his shadow.  I thanked Sir Ganther as the poison tailed beast did not notice us and flew by.  If it did notice us, I fear our quest would have abruptly ended then and there.

Our tried to keep up our spirits as we pressed deeper and deeper into the forest but it proved hard.  Loral was always close to me and listened to my stories but I could tell that she was beginning to let her low moral get the better of her.  Jäger mostly kept to himself as he scouted ahead of us.  I trusted him to not lead us into danger so we followed his directions.  A few hours passed and Jäger emerged from the trees like a forest spirit to inform us that there is a clearing ahead with a huge tree growing in the middle that fit the description of Millan gave us. The clearing must have reached over thirty feet in diameter. The tree itself owned a complicated pattern of branches that wove in and amongst themselves to almost resemble a building like cathedral to the forest, but my gut was telling me to be careful.

Jäger pointed into the tree's thick branches to help us notice the bodies that have been pinned to the tree, not unlike the fairies we found early on as we began our adventure into this forsaken forest.  All three of us looked at each other and knew exactly what it was we had to do.  Whatever darkness was active here, we had a duty to cleanse it.

The Possible Cure

With a little patience we were finally admitted into the herbalist's shop. It was warmer inside than I expected, covered in jars full of powders and roots.  All sorts of plants growing from every available space within Cuthbert's humble building.

Cuthbert was a little man and getting on in years but his age had not stilled his desire to help the people even though you could see how the poor folk infected with the Black Scour was pushing his abilities to his limit.  All he could do was create a potion that at best would hold off the symptoms but sadly not cure the disease.

After a little time spent with Cuthbert, I had decided he was a good man, worthy or recognition but Jäger had his doubts.  I had come to respect Jäger but I worried at his inability to trust.  Who or what has happened to Jäger that made him this way?  I did not think I would ever know but was glad to know he held a heart of gold beneath his icy chest.

In spite of Cuthbert's efforts, the Black Scour was spreading and Cuthbert told us of a potential cure that his great grandmother had written down in her book of cures.  I asked Cuthbert why he had not tried to create this cure but not only were the ingredients hard to come by but he held no faith in the potion and felt it to be hoo-doo rather than a real cure.  At first I was not sure whether it was worth collecting these ingredients but as soon as I thought of the poor children and families outside Cuthbert's I became ashamed in myself for even considering the option for not helping. There was really no other option than to help, even if there is a chance it will not work.

Cuthbert told us where we had to go and what it was we needed to collect;

1) Elder wood moss.  It is thought to grow on the tree in the heart of the forest nearby.
2)Rat's Tail root. Cuthbert informed us that although there was no plant that grew it nearby, it is said that the witch that resides in the forest is known to have some.
3)Iron Bloom mushroom.  There is an abandoned Dwarvern Monastery in the forest and that is where it can be found.

We were in luck. The knowledgeable Jäger has heard of the Witch and roughly where we could find her but not only that he knew where we could find the heart of the forest.  Is there anything this brave man could not teach me and those that are lucky enough to meet him?  If there is, I do not care to find out.

Jäger and I had heard enough and left the shop looking for Loral at the temple.  She needed to know that the town needed help and I was sure she would want us to do all we could.  I followed Jäger and his direction sense and quickly we found the temple.  Jäger decided he would stay outside, mentioning something about preferring to be outside, so I entered alone.  Loral, Sister of the Hammer, was up the front by the alter talking with one of the priests that resides within the temple.  Loral introduced me to Lady Setherda and after some formal greetings we spoke of the Black Scour and what Jäger and I intended to do.

The Lady Setherda proved to be as wise as she was pretty, but more importantly she became a real help in our quest.  With her help in looking over our caravan, Loral was able to join us to look for the ingredients.  I believe she was excited to help as she kept near me as we walked back to join the people we had been charged to protect and asked me all sorts of questions concerning what we may find on our way.  If I was to be honest, I believe she was just happy to be near some one who was willing to help people rather than just themselves. Lady Setherda was also able to shed a little more light on the so called witch that lives in the forest and a little more information as to where we could find her.  Her name is Elizmiller and is thought to be the great great great grand-daughter of Baba Yaga herself but Lady Setherda believes that to be an exaggeration of the truth.

Once we had decided that the three of us would set off together, we left the temple and headed back to the caravan. I stopped by the local inn to buy some hot broth to take to the guards that had taken position by the entrance to Falcon's Hollow to selflessly warn people of the Black Scour before entering.  They seem outwardly thankless for the broth but I knew they had to keep their mean demeanour in order to maintain a sense of authority and I could respect that.  These were hard times.

The now three of us, Jäger, Loral and myself decided that we would rest for the night before heading off.  With Jäger's guidance and Loral's input we were confident that we could find all three locations.  Loral knew the local area a little better than even the wise Jäger and informed us of a lumber yard on our way to the Heart of the Forest.   We all felt that they may have some information concerning the forest that could help us so after I spent some time making sure that the people on our caravan knew what we were up to and understood why as I checked there nightly set up, I managed some sleep myself before the early morning to save the people of Falcon's Hollow.

Black Scour

So the three of us entered the town of Falcons Hollow, I could tell Loral was worried about the people we were leaving outside but we needed food and water for the journey and we did not want to risk the health of the people in fear of it spreading through them.  It was a hard decision to leave the caravan unguarded but I believe we made the right decision.

Jäger and suggested I speak to one of the towns people to find out the problem was. I approached the first person I saw and noticed he was almost doubled over in a coughing fit.  Hind sight tells me that it may have been wiser to ask questions of some body who was more able to speak but at the time I was more concerned for his health and what I could do to help. I failed to get much useful information from him but we did learn the name of the illness, Black Scour.  He was also able to direct us to the town herbalist, Cuthbert of Cuthbert's Herbs.  If any one could give us more information that Jäger and I could work with, it would be Cuthbert.

Once we approached the herbalist it became evident that we were not the only ones seeking his advice.   A sad looking queue of people of all ages were waiting outside.  My heart sank to see whole families together outside hoping for a cure. It was then I pledged to myself that I would help these people or my name is Sir Cyril Sweetmore of the Order of the Roaring Lion.

Jäger also decided that these people needed help so he heroically pushed through the sick and straight to the front of the queue.  I was able to help the sick towns people to understand why it was important that we be seen next as we are looking for a way to help all the families of Falcons Hollow but no matter what Jäger and I said through the door of Cuthbert's nor how hard we banged on the door, Cuthbert insisted we wait until he had finished speaking with his current customer.  I used the time to bring some smiles to the poor children suffering with Black Scour with some stories of Sir Ganther.  It warmed my soul to see the people enjoying my tales as we waited.  It seemed the poor children have had no reason to smile for a long while.  Yet another way Sir Ganther has proven himself to me as the true way to live one's life.

Falcons Hollow.

Over a week has passed since I took on the quest from Marcus, Child of the Sun, worshipper of Pelor, to help protect the caravan heading to Hobham. From what I was told by Marcus, Hobham is currently only a small community of people, not yet big enough to call a village but after the arrival of this caravan things should change. With me on the road is Jäger, a woodsman and archer. He too was hired to help protect the families willing to endure the dangerous road.. He keeps to himself most of the time, preferring solitude but I can tell that once his chilly exterior has been broken a warm soul resides within him. Leading the caravan is a Dwarf Cleric by the name of Loral, a worshipper of the Morriden. A worthy woman to follow as she lead us forward with her warhammer helping free our path ahead of us.

The reason I have decided to chronocalise my journey is because I am finding life outside the temple of Sir Ganther is more difficult and perilous than expected. The elders tried to prepare me before leaving as an anointed but only until I saw how fallen some of my fellow men have become, I could not have believed it.

Within the first week of travel we have lost a number of families and one of our wagons to bandits. Jäger bravely spotted and dispatched as many as he could with his keen senses and long bow and I helped defend the defensless if any of the bandits managed to get past him. 

Morale was beginning to drop and so was our supplies We had started out with enough to get to Hobham but the attacks we had suffered had taken it's toll on us. Loral, Lady of the Forge, suggested we take an a detour to the lumber town of Falcons Hollow to replenish our supplies and hopefully some rest would re-stoke the fire in the hearts of the people Jäger and I were tasked to help defend.

The road to Falcons Hollw was easy enough to follow, even if it seemed to be less trodden than it may once have been.  The only obstacle we hit was when we were approached by two men.  I have to admit that my nerves became a little on edge as they approached but I need not have worried,  They were not meant to refuse entry but to warn unsuspecting travelers of a sickness that had started to spread in Falcons Hollow.  They suggetsed that he caravan should not enter the town and Loral advised we take heed of the warning.  Who was I to argue, her wisdom and cunning had proven itself many times on the road and my mind had clearly been affected by the long journey to get even here.  Being constantly on guard against any unfamilar face for fear of bandits had polluted me.  I thanked Sir Ganther by sending the two men before me as a reminder that good men still existed in these parts and instantly I felt his divine presence looking over me.

We still needed the supplies to continue so it was decided that Loral will make contact with her friend to negotiate for supplies while Jäger and I investigated what we could about the malody that had started to take hold of here.