Fantasy 5E: Glass and Ruin, Steel and Gold... IC

[Sherwood]

Eldra listens to the Elf warrior say that there is something strange about the tree, so she shrugs and turns to follow her to it. As she walks up behind Dendarian, she pulls an apple out of her pouch and takes a crunchy bite out of it. Through a mouthful of apple, she looks to the guy in charge and says, "Want an apple? I have more. They're really good." With the back of her hand she wipes at her mouth, continuing to chew happily.

 

[RikuXIII]

Kai takes the stone back from Banli, regarding it critically. Order, Tyrant's, and power. Certainly had a theme. Put one in mind of the worse class of nobles you came across. But how did it all fit together? And why?
"I hate it when a payday is on the other side of a mystery." the goblin grumbles as she puts the stone and letter away on her person.
Squaring her shoulders, she begins to follow Benali and Eldra towards the village when Dendarian calls them back. Something is wrong...with a tree? To Kai, it seems like a problem for a gardener, not them. But, Dendarian did make some of the stones talk, so she must have some magic connection telling her this. Sighing, Kai alters her course to come up along side the elf paladin. She gives the guards a polite smile, careful not to show teeth. Her left hand lose in case she needs to draw her pistol fast. With preperations made, Kai waits to see if Dendarian's honeyed words and Eldra's friendliness win over the guards.

 

[Gears]

The man is immediately convinced, after hearing the title and master of the elf woman he relaxes, motioning for the other two guards to return to their posts. His had leaves his sword as he pulls a map from a bag at his side. He hands the map to Dendarian, before pointing on the edge of the map. "Based on your questions your an off-worlder? Been some time since someone has shown up from another universe or reality. Your in Bordermire, edge of the frostlands. I am captain Laran, of the Hellions- our detachment is working with local militia to keep an eye on the orclands, I roatated in recently. And the tree is interesting story, lots of people shook up about it- i'd ask a local, all I know is that something odd happened after it suddenly grew here, someone who has been here longer or a local could tell more."

 

[Sherwood]

Eldra looks at Captain Laran with surprise. “You mean to tell me that this kinda thing has happened before? Wow. That’s deep, and I’m used to working underground. Yeah, we’re all from somewhere else. And that’s kinda a dumb thing to say, since everyone is from somewhere else, am I right?” She takes another chomp off her apple and chews for a moment, then says, “Captain, is there anything we need to know about that town before we go and get ourselves into trouble? I can heal, but I’d rather avoid it if I can.”

 

[Eonivar]

Banli had stopped and turned when the elven knight mentioned something about a tree. Intrigued the gnome forgot about his desire to be dry and went with the others. He listened to the interchange between the guards and his party. Once the guards relaxed just he walks up to the tree and used his Druidic connection and extensive knowledge of nature to inspect the tree.

Banli makes a Nature check
1D20+10 =17+10 =27!!!

 

[Gears]

"Most people here have lived for generations, been around a century or two since people first settled here. As for trouble, town is pretty peaceful, dream assignment other than the threat of orc attacks- but that merchant outside of the gates gives me the creeps." The captain said, looking towards the distant wall, an ancient but well maintained structure, the nearby tower already preparing fires as dawn approaches.


"You interested in my tree?" An elder voice said behind Banli, the wizened caretaker of the tree, his grey robes caked in dirt as he shuffled to the tree, feeling the trunk as he watered it, the water can made of silver and shined to perfection. The tree itself seems alien, but not the same as the crops surrounding you, while the rest had obviously been cultivated and adapted for the cold climate, this one seems to struggle with the harsh winter cold. The tree is only a sapling, but has obviously been well cared too, based on the fire, a stack of books protected under the leaves and the remains of a few meals, it appears the caretaker has been living under the tree for some time

 

[Eonivar]

Gnome looked over at the caretaker and gave a wide smile. “I am indeed, I have never seen such a tree before and I have seen many, many, many trees in my lifetime in different places, different worlds.”

The gnome turns and removes his hat and bows with a flourish, before putting the hat back on.

“Forgive me, my name is Banli Cottentea…I am a Druid, explorer and a sage of sorts. I am new to your world. My new elven knight friend noticed the tree and I could not help but want to take a closer look. Would you mind if I touched the tree? Don’t worry, as a Druid I am sworn to protect nature of all sorts. So I mean absolutely no harm to it. What kind of tree is it? What is it’s history?”

 

[Gears]

The caretaker leans against the trunk, checking one of the lower hanging branches as he speaks. "The Erden tree is an interesting story- I was a boy when the first one appeared. People were afraid of it at first, with the strange glow and the odd color- but when someone ate the tree's fruit they found some.... odd effects- the apothecary knows more but unfortunately, he rarely comes into town- but I heard his son is at the Gilded Dragon."

 

[Eonivar]

The gnome makes a “Hmmmm” noise. Not willing to be brushed away so easily, but still talking in an easy going voice.

“Odd effects? Can you give some examples of these effects? I can ask the son for more later but I would like to know what makes this tree so special to have guards and its own caretaker that lives with it? Do some people fear the tree and want to destroy it? What is the significance and value of it to warrant such care? So far those we have spoken to have alluded that the tree has a story but has not deemed to tell it or at least provide a summary. I can tell that this tree does not seem to be suited for this sort of climate, was this tree transplanted?”

 

[Gears]

The Gardner chuckles at the frustration, putting the watering can aside as he leans against the trunk, picking up a dropped leaf.

"It depended on the person, some became stronger or gained knowledge, others began having visions- I was blind, after I ate the apple I gained eyesight superior to all. That apothecary has been studying the effects since the second appearance, 33 years after the first appearance. Every 33 years the sapling appears and grows for a few days before it gives fruit. Then something chops down the tree three months after it is fully grown. We posted guards to ensure that doesn't happen- or at least figure out who did it the last two times. No seed taken from the tree has grown no matter where a traveler plants it- and the lords researchers have not found a record of this tree appearing anywhere else."

 

[Eonivar]

Banli tilted his head up at the caretaker. “Fascinating, and the tree has only appeared here?”

 

[Gears]

"Yes, always in this exact spot- not a pace further, though three occurrences may not be enough to determine it." The Gardner said as he stood up and checked one of the slowly blossoming fruit. "A few more weeks. I'm already training my son for the next appearance."

 

[Eonivar]

The gnome rose an eye brow. “A few weeks until what?”

 

[Gears]

"The Fruit, of course, a few of those types who worship the tree will be on their way by now- lots of our shops and inns will make a fair amount of coin while people come to see the tree, maybe even try to get an apple. Most are sent to the lord or the academy." The gardener said as he paced around the tree, brushing some leaves away from the trunk, the fallen leaves and sticks being gathered in a barrel.

 

[Eonivar]

“Ah, I see. I trust there is a lot of contention for the privilege to have a fruit or part of one? How is it determined that one should acquire something so very precious?”

 

[Gears]

"The lord usually keeps some in storage- they don't rot so they can stay there for any problems his lands have, though we get priority- I believe our apothecary still has his, studying it for the last 33 years."

 

[Eonivar]

Banli seems to look away a moment. “They do not rot? How odd.”

The gnome reaches up and gives the caretaker a tip of his hat.

“Thank you for your time caretaker, I shall not pester you with any more questions at the moment. Although I may reserve the right to ask more at some other time. Take care and be well.”

The gnome turns to his party and looks up at them wondering what the next step will be, saving his thoughts on the matter for when they have a bit more privacy.

 

[Sherwood]

Eldra looks down at the half eaten apple in her hand and sighs. “That kinda makes my regular ol’ apple seem kinda ordinary. It’s still good, but it’s not a fancy magic apple. Ahh, well. Let’s get to the Gilded Dragon and warm up sitting at a table with good food and drink, and we can discuss about what we’ve just heard. Thank you for the information, mister gardener. It is appreciated.”

 

[Gravitational Force]

Zeren listens. Magic fruit that gives you power. He'd love to get his hands on some.

But for now the inn awaits.

"A tree with magic fruit that some people worship that keeps having strange things happen to it. Well at the very least our time here won't be boring."

 

[Psychie]

Dendarian chuckles at Zeren’s comment. She says, “There is an old proverb that is a sideways curse. ‘May you live in interesting times’. That truly applies here. Thank you, Captain, and you too, master Gardener, for your information.”

Turning to her fellow travelers, she says, “Let’s get to the Gilded Dragon and discuss our next steps over a good meal and drink.”

 

[Jagson]

Seria stayed in the background not getting in the way of the conversation going on just nodding in agreement with Dendarian. She turned in that direction and started walking

 

[RikuXIII]

With tensions defused, Kai allows herself to relax and take in the scenery as those of a more diplomatic persuasion did the talking. Despite living much of her current life on the road, she didn't think of herself as a "nature" person, and doubts she was one in her old life. Still, she knows potential danger from legends when she hears it. Limited supplies of mystical fruit are the basis for a tragedy, no doubt in her mind. Doubly so if something monstrous figured out it's value and how to subvert it. But at least the guards here seem competent enough.
Kai shakes her head to dislodge the thoughts of how this could go wrong as it seems the party is preparing to move on. She glances at Eldra's apple, then up at the tree.
"Hmm. Wonder how bad making a cider from the magic fruit would dilute it's power?" She says thoughtfully. "Any experience with brewing something mystic or divine origin, cleric?"
Readjusting her pack and rifle on her back, Kai falls in with the rest of the party.

 

[Gears]

As the adventurers took their leave from the orchards and the Erden Tree, the caretaker gave a wry smile before giving Banli a small blossom, likely edible but small enough to hide. "Usually the effects of an unripe fruit are diminished or non-existent, but I have a feeling a druid such as yourself could have some use for this- but I would be careful, many have heard of it- people have killed for these apples."

The captain nodded to Dendarian, before pulling out a small crest. "We do not often get outworlders, show this to any hellion and you should get a safe place to rest and a meal, maybe even the opportunity to join, keep safe and may the Gleaner keep his distance, a saying of my world- if you believe in such things,"

As the group advances through the fields, some look in suspicion, while the majority minds their business- continuing the harvest of the strange crop. Some of the plant life appears similar to their worlds, though adapted to be more colorful, yield more bounty- thicker stalks and leaves to keep them warm in the winter- similar to the people, who wear little clothing as they labor, most unbothered by the cold- like the crops they tend to, having generations to adapt and overcome the harsh cold of their land.

As the party approaches the gates they begin the music of a calliope drifting from the wagon parked outside of the gates. Three Merchants attend the wagon, two desperately trying to get anyone passing by to inspect the wares on display, while another sits inside the wagon, a window showing his wares while he absent-mindedly rolls a set of dice, though his eyes are scanning the crowd- before settling on the group. Each merchant is wearing black robes that cover their entire body, the two female criers having pale skin and pink eyes visible, while what you could guess is the master based on his age and position has steel grey eyes.

Immediately, the pair accosts you- blurting out products their master has available for profit, their honeyed words starting to work on you as they carefully guide you to the cart.

(make a Charisma Saving Throw, you are being charmed)

 

[Jagson]

Charisma save 8

 

[Eonivar]

Banli's wisdom saving throw is a +7, AND he gets advantage on the saving throw since he is a gnome.

1D20+1 = 15+7 = a wisdom saving throw of 22!