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Confrontation at Fort Morsten, Part 3

The great treant listens thoughtfully to each petition. While the heroes of Greyhawk speak, birds and other tiny creatures flit and fly in and about the boughs of the ancient creature. Once everyone has had a say, the treant looks back at Fort Morsten where the swarm of biting and stinging insects are beginning to dwindle; no movement can be seen along the walls or on the tower. Then, the treant looks back to you. His old wrinkled eye holes take in each of you, rumbling deep within his trunk at the sight of so many elves among you. And watching Montego trying to corral the three brownies brings what must be the equivalent of laughter, as his canopy shudders and there is an odor of loam and mushrooms in the air, as several toadstools actually sprout and grow around the great tree's rooty legs.
While the brownies scramble to pick the mushrooms, the treant finally speaks, its voice a low, slow rumble.

"To the creatures of the Wood...I am Old Gnarly...and I bid thee, greetings."

"Adelphoplease...thy father was a faithful...servant of mine and loyal friend; I see thee and respect thee as well. Loss of life, you say? Only dear Puddington has lost her life...and for what? For protecting her cubs! That...is...wrong."

"The name of Bahlonna is not unknown to me...Sigh of the Brothers. She and I have...had more than one...interesting discussion. The Old One...Eye Ooze is his name among men and non-men...is evil to the core. His minions are not welcome...in the wood...and they dost know it!"

The treant gives Cassius a long look, its leaves shuddering as if a breeze blows through them, although the air is somewhat still along the river this day.
"Peace...thou sayest? Sadly...no one seeks peace these days. We came in peace...and Asshole the Wizard unleashed arcane power upon us...trying to destroy us."
The treant sighs loudly...and it sounds as if several of its limbs are snapping all at once.

Finally, he turns to Muldgarr, his bark creaking as he does so. "I see thee...and I hear thee. However...I find positive resolutions...to be few and far between. I wouldst know thy name. Wouldst thou givest it me?"

The treant looks back toward the tower and fort walls, where a few men can be seen moving; no movement from the tower...yet.
"Adelcofleas...Sigh of the Brothers...Bring the murderer out to me...I have a plan in mind...for his punishment. Then...I shall leave...peacefully. Thou hast my word."

Sai

Sai bows to the treant. Well Met Sir. I will find the two offenders and bring them out here.

He turns and heads to the wall. Sargent I need Tomas and his companion from Green Company, The two that killed the Owlbear. They need to make amends or we all will pay the price. And then Iuz will take the lands because this will be where he crossed the river and over ran our lines. Two men for the good of all. Bring them out.

Adelphoplease

Bows, choosing to stay quiet rather than try to rebut Old Gnarly. He does, however follow after Sai. He pointedly keeps his body language as neutral as possible. He does not want to appear aggressive in any way.

Montego almost starts laughing when the treant calls the owlbear Puddington, but decides not to press any further on that. He winks at Obi and his friends, trying to determine how they feel about this attempt at a truce.

The ranger turns back towards the walls and tower, shouting as loudly as he can.

"If you want to live, shut up and stop firing off magic at these woodland beings. They mean you no harm, and are only looking for answers about one of their kin. If I see as much as another pebble launched their way, Not only will I encourage them to continue their attack, but I will join in with them!"

The massive ranger, a man of the woods himself, just turns and shrugs at the brownies, centaurs, and Old Gnarly, hoping that the humans of this town understand what is at stake here. If he sees any trouble with Sai, he moves that way to help. Otherwise, he stays near the wagons and continues being respectful to the treant, unwilling to see what other powers he might possess.

Cassius

Cassius merely raises a brow as the plan shifts towards handing over the two men, saying nothing.

"There are always times throughout history in which one must fight for peace. We are rapidly rushing towards that point."

"Fight the asshole it is, then. Good to know." He draws his bow and turns to the tower, but doesn't ready an arrow. "I may be able to get a clean shot Montego. Say the word."

My apologies dear Great One...Muldgarr Petri of thee Sylvan elves. I understand your concerns and agree that some resolutions require escalation. Some enemies only understand control, hate and death. Which is what we will give them if they don’t hand over the murderers!!!! He bows to the treant.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten, Part 4 > "Vengeance is mine..."



The mage watches as a centaur and a half-elf approach the low wall. He swats a large horsefly off his hand and stomps it with a satisfying crunch. The centaur, he notes, is dressed for battle; the half-elf looks like one of the guards recently arrived from Greatwall. It is the half-elf who speaks.

Sargent I need Tomas and his companion from Green Company, The two that killed the Owlbear. They need to make amends or we all will pay the price. And then Iuz will take the lands because this will be where he crossed the river and over ran our lines. Two men for the good of all. Bring them out.

This will not do! he growls to himself and standing up to his full six feet in height, he calls from the top of the tower.
"Who are you to make demands of the men of Fort Marsten? Go back to guarding your wagons and shoveling horse shit! And tell that...walking old stump, that our business is not yet done."

The reply he gets is not from the half-elf, or the centaur, but from the ranger standing near the wagons and talking with the creatures who have been attacking the fort.

"If you want to live, shut up and stop firing off magic at these woodland beings. They mean you no harm, and are only looking for answers about one of their kin. If I see as much as another pebble launched their way, Not only will I encourage them to continue their attack, but I will join in with them!"

The wizard bares his teeth in a snarl, his hands gripping the edge of the tower, knuckles white with anger. His mind rummages through his remaining spells and he comes across his deadliest one...a spell he has not used in many years for fear of its unpredictability. And yet, perhaps now is the exact time to turn it loose!
As he mulls over the arcane words, the captain of Green Company climbs up and stands up behind the low wall where the centaur and half-elf, and any onlookers, can see him.


"I am Dempsey, captain of Green Company. You want me to turn over two of my men for some sort of...justice? Or is it vengeance? My man defended himself from the raging creature, and nothing more. The beast mauled him and damn near ended his life. One of these wagon guards, so I'm told, healed him. One of your own? Yes!
"His scars will never heal. He will likely not be able to fight again. Has not justice already been served?"

Adelphocles

The centaur, hearing the insult on Old Gnarly keeps his expression neutral, for now... but Sai may well note the clenched fist and the creaking of knuckles and sinew promising the power behind it should he be given the need to unleash it. Still... ever the diplomat, the centaur turns to head towards Captain Dempsey and hears him, relaxing a bit and nodding at his words. He takes a moment to gather his words before replying.

Hail. I see thee, Captain Dempsey. I hear thy words and recognize them. I am Adelphocles of Silvertree. May we see this man of which you speak, so I may relay what mine eyes see to Old Gnarly, yonder Trent who was already old when our people were young? Perhaps hearing this tale and mine bearing witness to your proof will satisfy him if only a little. I believe we peoples could have peace when calmer heads like us may speak. he pointedly ignores the wizard, especially in that last statement, as he speaks in his old common.

Believing that his matter-of-fact approach to this stalemate is only making things worse for the real arbitrators, Montego decides to hold his tongue.

He moves to the side of the wagons, using them for cover against any oncoming spells, drawing his bow and knocking an arrow. He concentrates his sights on the wizard in his tower, ready to loose an arrow at the man if he starts moving his hands and chanting.

Sai

It is true what he speaks. I was the one who healed him. His left arm is gone just below the elbow and he was covered in cuts and beak marks. Your Owlbear friend almost claimed his life. They claim they were attacked by the owlbear but I am not sure if that is the truth as I was not there. But the captains words are true. If I had not pumped all of my healing spells into him, he would be dead and his arm is maimed and missing.

Muldgarr listens intently to Dempsey’s opinion and it sounds reasonable. He also understands Old Gnarly’s desire for revenge. The only one he doesn’t trust is the crazy mage. So, he readies his bow in case this can’t be settled without a fight.

Cassius

He sees the others tense and ready bows. "Alright then. Picking the side against the angry powerful mage on the high ground. Let's do this."

Cassius readies his bow and waits. "Who is this guy anyway?" He looks around and notices that they are clumped up a bit. He repositions himself 10 yards away, still in sight of the mage.

Sai

Looks to the Centaur with him. Whispers below the wall to the Centaur.

If this goes bad the first thing I will do is put the Wizard to Sleep. The rest is up to your friends. We are a neutral party in this. Obiously these people want a fight.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten, Part 5 > The Proof is in the...Pudding

The captain of the guard, Dempsey, listens intently and nods as the centaur speaks; Muldgarr and Andel note the man's eyes softening a bit by the end of the centaur's words.
"And I see you, and hear you, Andelphocles. Silvertree, you say? I have not ventured there since I was a boy. Tell me true, is the old druid still living? He was...kind to me."
Before Andel can answer though, there is a ruckus behind the wall. The men (and women) of Green Company are shouting at their captain, wanting him to give the word for battle. But, instead, he raises an open hand and they grow silent.
"Find Tomas and Hank. Bring them to the gate. Now!"

Dempsey turns back to the Centaur and the Elf. "Meet me at the gate."
He steps down and disappears behind the wall; the mage at the top of the tower is no longer there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You healed the murderer? Are you crazy?!?" Obi's screech startles the centaurs and most of the others around.
The energized bunny...brownie is about to say more, but the canopy over Old Gnarly's head shudders loud enough to startle him to silence. A few leaves break loose and fall around the company standing there.
"Did you say...you healed the one...who slew our dear...Puddycat?" Old Gnarly asks, his glistened orbs focused on Sai.
Kranston, noticeably quiet during this entire thing, suddenly begins beating his drum, softly, giving a sense of foreboding to the already tense moment. His eyes are closed and his face is lifted to the sky, and he begins to chant:

Never hunger, never prosper...I have fallen prey to failure.
Struggle within, triggered again...Now the candle burns at both ends.

The centaurs glance at each other and at the dwarf and his companions. Old Gnarly creaks and scratches a piece of loose bark on his trunk. A satyr, halfway hidden in the trees, peaks out and then jerks back into hiding again.

"Erm...what...erm...huh?" Old Gnarly grunts and grumbles trying to figure out what is going on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the only gate in the wall, Dempsey appears, the two sides of the wooden wall opened by guards on the inside. Beside his is Tomas and his friend, Hank. Tomas has fresh bandages and looks a bit ragged; much of his left arm is missing and the side of his face is a web of red and angry scars...seemingly freshly healed.

Both of the men are scared, fidgeting, and breathing heavily and sweating. Tomas looks up at the centaur and at the Elf. Behind them are the members of Green Company. None of them look happy; most having hands on the hilts of their weapons. Their eyes dart back and forth, often lingering on their captain, Dempsey.
"C-captain?" Tomas says, his voice choked with fear.

"Here is your men, Andelphocles, Muldgarr. Is this proof enough? If not, I will accompany you with them, to the guardian of the forest." Dempsey takes a step forward...

Andelphocles

I *know* I posted. Stupid phone...

About the Druid... does Andelphocles know about him?

The centaur looks down at the men and their pitiful state. Then to the Captain. Am moment, and I will confer with Old Gnarly.

He nimbly turns and gallops over to the huge Treant and bows once more. Great one! See the two men that stand at the gate? Those are the ones who claim to have been beset upon by Puddington. Whichever side attacked first, we will never really know, and these men obviously were fighting for their lives. They are covered in scars and one has even been partly crippled from the fight. His life as he knew it is certainly over. Is that not a death in itself? May I propose a possible solution? Take the maimed one... Teach him as you have so many druids before. Let his new lease on life be one of learning your wisdom, and let him gain purpose in this new life by tending to the woodlands. More life may yet be gained than what was already lost by his service, and allow the other to follow should he wish, or remain here with the memory of this unfortunate circumstance serve as a reminder to him of the care one should take in the forest. Once more he bows and awaits Old Gnarly's response.

Sai

Answering the Druid. Yes, I unknowingly healed the man that is missing and arm. I healed him because at the time I knew nothing about PuddyTat. I was merely healing a soldier that was attacked in the forest. I did what needed to be done and this man is alive because of it. Do not throw away what Ehlonna has granted to this man. She saw fit to heal him that must carry some weight.

He goes silent and moves back to stand near Emeral.

For some reason, Kranston's unsettling tune sticks in the head of Montego, who quietly sings along.

"Loss of interest....question....wonder.
Waves of fear they pull me under."

Content to let the others parlay, seeing some progress there, the large ranger stays near the troupe and wagons, but watches the dwarf closely in case he has been somehow ensorcelled.

Cassius

"Odd time for a song, Kranston. But I guess we could all use some tension breaking." Cassius looks more concerned as Montego starts singing as well.

"It's not that catchy, right?" He says to nobody in particular while looking at the tower, trying to catch a glimpse of the Mage.

Muldgarr nods to Dempsey..We will see if Adophecles’ idea resonates with Old Gnarly and this situation can be settled.

Confrontation at Fort Morsten, Part 6 > Fighting the Fear

Old Gnarly grows pensive and quiet; the ancient treant considering the advice of both Andelphocles and Sai. A black squirrel appears out of a bole on the side of the forest druid, observing the company below, its tail twitching, its black eyes inquisitive.

Kranston grins up at Montego as the ranger sings along to his impromptu tune. He grins and adds:

Old habits reappear...Fighting the fear of fear
Growing conspiracy...Everyone's after me
Frayed ends of sanity...Hear them calling
Hear them calling me

While Kranston flails away on his drum, dancing around like a drunken korred, the satyr reappears, pulls out a wooden flute and adds some trills and piping runs to the beat. Hopping around on its hooves, the satyr joins the Dwarf in a wild frenzy.


Cassius shoots Montego a worried look, and then returns his gaze to the tower, hoping to catch a glimpse of the wizard.

Kranston and the satyr veer off toward the wood, and Old Gnarly looks toward the walled fort town of Morsten, and then back those standing before him.
"I hear you and see you, Andelfleas, and you as well, Scythe. It shall be as you have said. Bring the one to me; I care not for his companion. The iron price will be paid in full. A life for a life."

Andelphocles nods and trots back to the wall...returning in a few minutes with the one-armed guard, whose eyes are as big as saucers. With Muldgarr's help, Tomas stands before the ancient guardian of the wood. "Y-you asked f-for me?" Tomas manages, his knees literally shaking with fear.

"You will come with me...a life for a life. I shall teach you the ways of a caretaker. You shall raise the cubs your orphaned. You shall train them to forage. You shall protect them with your life. When they are ready to go off on their own, then...you shall...be mine."

Tomas nearly faints, but Muldgarr holds him up. With an unexpected swiftness, Old Gnarly reaches down and snatches Tomas off the ground, holding him up, scrutinizing, examining the man. With a grunt, the forest guardian turns away and makes its way back to the forest.
The woodland creatures go with it, including the centaur warriors, who only linger long enough to ask, "Andel...come with?"