The Cradle of Souls - Chapter 12: Lost Waters
From Saratta
- I'd trade a month... No! 3 months of my wares for the opportunity to get these Druids to barter properly with me. It seems that they tolerate my presence, which is certainly keeping me safe right now... Perhaps someone will arrive soon so that I can trade my wares with them. This place has such potential to be a hub of goods...Druidic Imbued Wares from the vault of Pomaz Waters! I could make a killing...
- - From the records of Pomaz Waters during his time in the Druid Lands
- I'd trade a month... No! 3 months of my wares for the opportunity to get these Druids to barter properly with me. It seems that they tolerate my presence, which is certainly keeping me safe right now... Perhaps someone will arrive soon so that I can trade my wares with them. This place has such potential to be a hub of goods...Druidic Imbued Wares from the vault of Pomaz Waters! I could make a killing...
- The temple lay in the bottom of a large crater, centered perfectly in a hill. A massive tree rose up from the center, smaller trees dwarfed by it. A rope bridge expanded across the open spaces connecting the tree to the hillside. The limbs of smaller trees supported and braced the bridge keeping it stable as the group crosses. Below they could see a large lake, within which appeared to be the ruins of several polished stone structures.
- At the other end of the bridge waited two men. One (an elf) was garbed in simple deerskin cloths, while the other (human) was garbed in a manner more befitting to the civilized centers of the world.
- “I am Leyan, Order of the Bear.” the deerskin clad elf told them, “Welcome to Qu'an Re Sool, though you will forgive me if I don't seem pleased. You are guests for the time being; orders of the acting Arch Druid. Feel free to leave too... you can take...”
- “Pomaz Waters! Merchant and Adventurer, pleasure to meet you. Should you need supplies, my shop is always open and available below. You simply must see it.”
- Pomaz went on for a while longer before the group began to make him feel uneasy with their talk of the necromatic trades and the Artifact that was responsible for bringing them to the Temple. His apprehension was quickly displaced by his curiosity.
- The group explored the temple, taking time to rest and learn more about the place. The curious marble structures they saw in the lake were even more magnificent once they reached them. The druids confided that the structures had always been there, and as far as the order was concerned they were natural despite evidence that they were far from it.
- Strange obelisks were set in the center of several platforms, humming with energy. As one approached the edge of the stone platform intent on another platform across from them, a beam of energy would expand with a crackling roar, creating a bridge made of energy. The group was hesitant at first, but quickly discovered them to be safe.
- They soon learned much to their dismay that the power they were seeking, the Waters of Evwayalla no longer flowed in the Temple. About two years before the water had slowed to a trickle, and months ago it had stopped entirely. Concerned by this, the druids had sought the source of the trouble with little luck due to greater concerns. The barrier protecting the temple was beginning to fail as well, and for the past year had required even more vigilance to make sure it remained in place or they would surely be overrun by the wolf beasts.
- Krueler decided to take matters into his own hands, searching for magics inside the temple. The lake waters glowed slightly, but the magical power was too diluted to get a lock on what it was. Then, while exploring the base of one of the cliffs where the roots of the great tree were exposed he discovered nothing. Normally nothing would not be a discovery, but the nothing that Lord Savant Arden Krueler found was very literal when it came to magic. The area he found was simply void of its presence. The entire root simply had no magical spark. Closer investigation revealed a small cave that he could wiggle into. Krueler sent his weasel in to search and quickly concluded that the cave would require further exploration.
- He soon gathered the rest of the group, still dragging the bodies of Altherton and Ulias. They entered the cave which was initially a tight squeeze that soon became wider. Water tricked down the middle of the passage, feeding the lake. After a short time of navigating the passage and ducking under roots, they found a large pool of water. At the center of the pool appeared to be a large chunk of metal with a smooth section of root extending vertically upward from it. Still sensing the absence of magic, Krueler searched harder, discovering a solid layer of power at the bottom of the well, approximately 15 feet below the surface.
- Sensing something amiss, Glorving and Kaden decided to use magic to locate any evil presence that might be permeating the cave. They did this as several others decided to swim out and take a look at the metal. A black force expanded in their magical vision, filling with roiling flames and overwhelming fury. They shut their eyes against the buring force, releasing the magic so the vision would end while calling out to the others to stop. It was too late now though, for several were pulled down into the depths.
- Kaden ran for the caves entrance, hoping to warn the druids of the evil power that seemed to stir beneath the tree. He did not see what else was happening. Glorving on the other hand did, and charged headfirst toward the waters hoping to save those who were being drawn in. It was an ill fated attempt, as he clipped Krueler in his haste, taking both of them into the pool where they were pulled into the depths as well.
- The road to enlightenment lies in ones ability to perceive the forces of good and evil and recognize them simply as forces of Nature. Good and Evil find their balance in the natural world, and so long as there is good to balance the evil, or evil to balance good then Order remains. It is when one of those falls out of line and the balance becomes upset that we see a greater presence of each. Therefore, if you find good or evil in the natural world and it is being held in check you would do best to leave it be, or risk upsetting the natural order, giving way to Chaos.
- - The teachings of Meru Terk, Acting Arch Druid of Qu'an Re Sool, Order of the Bear
- The road to enlightenment lies in ones ability to perceive the forces of good and evil and recognize them simply as forces of Nature. Good and Evil find their balance in the natural world, and so long as there is good to balance the evil, or evil to balance good then Order remains. It is when one of those falls out of line and the balance becomes upset that we see a greater presence of each. Therefore, if you find good or evil in the natural world and it is being held in check you would do best to leave it be, or risk upsetting the natural order, giving way to Chaos.
- When Kaden reached the Place of Mediation within the Temple, he met with the Arch Druid, Meru Terk. He found her response to the threat he found particularly infuriating. If the 'evil' had always been there, it was best to leave it alone, for it had not caused troubles for them in the past. To Kaden, this was short sighted ignorance of a potential issue. He managed to convince the Meru that she should send someone to investigate. The druidess sent Leyan to assist Kaden.
- The two ventured back to the cave and found it empty. Leyan focused his own magical detections on the metal, and observed the same evil upon it as Kaden and Glorving had seen. The druid was taken aback, the presence was very powerful, and the reaction well beyond what should have occurred with detection magic. He required a sample of the metal to show the Arch Druid. Kaden begrudginly assisted, and both of them entered into the waters. It was a mistake, but once they were in the water, it was too late. They too were dragged into the depths.