A stranger in our midst

As we approach the sledge we see signs of a struggle and and see that there is fresh blood and drag marks in the snow. We see one set of adult tracks in the area and another set of tracks that vanish under the snow. Aethlwynn suggests we follow the tracks, and we follow the obviously recent set that seem to vanish. We start to hear a weak cough in the forest silence which seems to come from under the sled. We see a man half covered by the sled; he looks very cold. One hand grips an axe, his clothes are ripped and he looks almost hypothermic. Guru puts his cloak over him. and he thanks us.  Guru helps him up. and sees his shoulder is bleeding and badly injured. While Salus stops the bleedong. Aethlwynn asks him his name - Riteable is the answer. Guru asks where he is headed, Riteable replies that he was sent out to look for Tala last night as folk know he was in the army and now sells his sword. 

Aethlwynn points out the other footprints and ask if Riteable knows who the footprints belong to, he thinks he saw Tala but heard her screaming a name like "arlan".  Then there were blue lights, the earth shook and he lost his footing. He thought he saw something but  passed out and the next thing he knows is seeing us. We agree we have  the same goal and Sebastian suggests we follow the footprints. Riteable asks if we should back go to the village but we agree to press on as little girl is lost . The other footprints seem to vanish, but seem to be wearing some short of shoes. Salus  realises the blood is recent  and can see that they were dragged under ground seemingly alive, but can't be seen. The other prints leading away look like a small barefoot child. Aethlwynn wants to try to help who or whatever was dragged underground but we can't see a way underground. There are roots which look like a mix of tree roots and the corrupted black roots. We can't see the blue lights but can sense a general pulse. Aethlwynn says to the forest "You have one of ours if you let him go there is no need to set a fire". There is no response, but soon after the birds fall silent and the wind has drops  It feels as though like something is listening. The forest does not feel hostile or kind, and it doesn't feel like the forest itself doing the listening. Aethlwynn also has  a strange sense of smoke within the general forest scents. As the scent seems to be coming from the direction of Tala's footprints we follow Tala's them.

We head north tiluntil  we see  one of the old camps. There is noneither smoke rising notnor voicevoices in the distance. The watch tower has collapsed, and we can make out lightpale blue pulses from the groundground.

Guru isscouts leadingahead. so is scouting. AethsAethswold notices faint ripples beneath the snow,snow which he thinks there are potentially weak areas. He also thinks he can see faint movementmovements in the hut. ThinksHe feels the safesstsafest way in is through a gap in the fence.fence rather than through the main gate He sees a small fire and lanterns outside the hutshut which the roots seem to avoid. Salus notices barefootbare printsfootprints leading into the shed,shed seemshe toalso besees  drag marks and blood in the main courtyard.courtyard Sheas canwell seeas frozen black sap in the snow. AAethlwynn sees that the roots seem to be ffedinfeeding on the warmth in the areaaarea and that the nearby plant growth seem to be corrupted. AethsAethswold thinks the watch tower collapse is recent and has been caused by the roots. AethAethswold sawsees a long stick with a metalic blade leading agsintagaint the shed. He'It's happya scythe.

RRiteable getsmoves to the shed and kicks the door in. The door collapses and hearhe hears a gasp ,gasp, but he can't see anyone. R He lights a torch and looks indeeper into the shed. It looks full of old dusty items,items there'sincluding an overturned cot in the corner where the gasp came from. RHe moves the cot and sees a panicing yougyoung girl. She looks in severe shock and points outside muttering roots"Roots are moving.moving". She says Harlan told her to keep running - then shaeshe says something under the camp was talking. AethAethswold asks what it sounded like, but she can't get her words out. She says she can't herehear the voices atm.any more. She tries to explain a blue light came from under the tower and that Harlan told her to satystay in the shed. He tried to set themthe roots on fire -but then he was gone. Seb asks if he is dead

AAethlwynn suggests we investigate the tower,watch tower and Salus suggests we leave TAlaTala in the shed. TheBefore Aethswe hearcan move Aethswold hears a voicefaint cry of "Tala" coming from under the snowsnow. saying "Tala". The blue glow starts to intesify, the grounground vibrates andvibrates, the lanternlanterns start to dim and sglowglow blue.blue Sebpulsing in time with the blue glow. Sebastian and AethAethswold realise the roots are now responding.responding Aethsto sensethe pulses. Aethswold senses something under the groungground is coordinating the roots.roots' Themovements. Suddenly the camp floor collapses as roots astarstart comingto forattack us.

COmbatCombat starts

One root uses a Root glideGlide abilityAbility -but we can't see what that does yet

BeneathAnother snowvanishes to vanish under groundunderground

Sebastian casts Haunting hymmHymn which destabilises the tendrils - bothwhich take full sonic damage

Riteable proves to be resourceful in a fight, using a buring torch to attack the roots

As combatwe endsbeat back the roots the last of the tendrils convulses violently,violently. theThe roots all then collapse and turn in on themselves. SomewhereWe neatbysee the body of a young man over by the collapsed watchtowerWatch aTower. mnaliesHis - blooodchest is oncovered hisin chestblood and thehe rootsis arevery roundweak, himbut alive. It' s HarlanHarlan, still holding on.

 

To Be Continued....