Episode: Lodge of Petrichor, Part 3
Posted by Story on 11/13/18
North of the Lodge is a grove of trees. These trees are notably ancient, and shaman from Redrain claim that this is a place where spirits who have been gravely injured can come to rest and heal. Those of Redrain nod and look comforted at this, but most of the faithful of the Compact scratch their heads - what could harm a spirit? Ridiculousness to many, but this stand of ancient trees is beautiful and peaceful, whether one is a shaman or not.
And now it too comes under attack.
Reports are less than forthcoming out of this - the Spirit Walkers band together, with notable shaman from across the Compact coming to perform rites and rituals here. Do they work? Who knows? Even those who talk to the spirits tend to have conflicting answers.
'The spirits are still present,' they say, and then will add, 'but very restless.'
And then the attacks start. It is as though the forest has attacked - wolves and bears and creatures great and small by all accounts. They are maddened, as though some kind of poison has twisted them and driven them insane, driving them toward the shaman who revere life and nature and the spirits themselves.
All around the grove are soldiers. Led by Warlord Marian Redrain soldiers spread through the forest to protect this special place. Count Thesarin, Duke Gabriel, and Dame Irisa have some trouble - they handle it, but when they return to the Lodge to be cared for by the healers under Marquessa Reigna's guidance they are all gravely wounded.
The Wolves of Redrain fan out too, directed by Sir Aksel Nygard. And they too fight hard, and some of them die well and others live to tell the tale - but when Sir Aksel returns to the Lodge his eyes are haunted and he does not speak of what he has seen.
And the grove itself? There is battle after battle here, and the shaman struggle to hold to their rituals while battle rages all around. Marian, Vercyn, Gerard, Brogan, Aodhan, Marcas, Cybele, Signe, Sparte, Kritr, Morrighan, Volcica, Cillian, and Kalani move to protect the grove, to lead the soldiers stationed about. The Spirit Walkers - Eilonwy, Bashira, Kaldur, Cybele, and many others work on their shamanic rites. It is hard to keep their focus, and not all the shaman survive. Bashira Ru-tual falls - but the rite does not falter. Cybele too falls, but even so the shaman use their deaths to inspire.
And even as the forest quiets and the attacks break off, the grove is different, changed. What once was ground newly-consecrated by then-Legate Orazio and several of the Faith is now different. Deeper. More peaceful. The priests of Petrichor have claimed Sanctuary, and the shaman rites have empowered the spirits, and now this is no stand of trees but a Grove true - newly formed and still growing into its power. But even so a place of peace, of holiness, and it stands strong and defensible.
In the center of the Grove, where two shaman met their ends bravely, stand two saplings now, twining about each other as they grow. Some say this is a symbol of Cybele and Bashira's sacrifice. Others say it is an embrace of the Spirit Walkers and the Order of Petrichor. Whatever the symbol, this is a miracle - and a hopeful sign indeed.
And the Grove of Renewal stands.
And now it too comes under attack.
Reports are less than forthcoming out of this - the Spirit Walkers band together, with notable shaman from across the Compact coming to perform rites and rituals here. Do they work? Who knows? Even those who talk to the spirits tend to have conflicting answers.
'The spirits are still present,' they say, and then will add, 'but very restless.'
And then the attacks start. It is as though the forest has attacked - wolves and bears and creatures great and small by all accounts. They are maddened, as though some kind of poison has twisted them and driven them insane, driving them toward the shaman who revere life and nature and the spirits themselves.
All around the grove are soldiers. Led by Warlord Marian Redrain soldiers spread through the forest to protect this special place. Count Thesarin, Duke Gabriel, and Dame Irisa have some trouble - they handle it, but when they return to the Lodge to be cared for by the healers under Marquessa Reigna's guidance they are all gravely wounded.
The Wolves of Redrain fan out too, directed by Sir Aksel Nygard. And they too fight hard, and some of them die well and others live to tell the tale - but when Sir Aksel returns to the Lodge his eyes are haunted and he does not speak of what he has seen.
And the grove itself? There is battle after battle here, and the shaman struggle to hold to their rituals while battle rages all around. Marian, Vercyn, Gerard, Brogan, Aodhan, Marcas, Cybele, Signe, Sparte, Kritr, Morrighan, Volcica, Cillian, and Kalani move to protect the grove, to lead the soldiers stationed about. The Spirit Walkers - Eilonwy, Bashira, Kaldur, Cybele, and many others work on their shamanic rites. It is hard to keep their focus, and not all the shaman survive. Bashira Ru-tual falls - but the rite does not falter. Cybele too falls, but even so the shaman use their deaths to inspire.
And even as the forest quiets and the attacks break off, the grove is different, changed. What once was ground newly-consecrated by then-Legate Orazio and several of the Faith is now different. Deeper. More peaceful. The priests of Petrichor have claimed Sanctuary, and the shaman rites have empowered the spirits, and now this is no stand of trees but a Grove true - newly formed and still growing into its power. But even so a place of peace, of holiness, and it stands strong and defensible.
In the center of the Grove, where two shaman met their ends bravely, stand two saplings now, twining about each other as they grow. Some say this is a symbol of Cybele and Bashira's sacrifice. Others say it is an embrace of the Spirit Walkers and the Order of Petrichor. Whatever the symbol, this is a miracle - and a hopeful sign indeed.
And the Grove of Renewal stands.