Lómë -- the Jewel of the Desert; Kawa-- Grove of Screaming Whispers

[GameMaster]

Intriguing developments for Kawa, the kitsune. His communion with Crevan and the druids by the standing stones speaks to a natural affinity with the heartbeat of the wild. This rapport with creatures great and small is a cornerstone of druidic power, and the foundation upon which Kawa's aspirations will rise.

As Kawa's understanding of the druidic ways deepens, it becomes apparent that to be accepted by the Guardians of the Green, he must go beyond mere survival and communion. Mastery of nature's more subtle nuances is required. The Guardians will seek not only a protector of the Green but a champion who embodies its principles.

Kawa's deep connection to foxes and their environments presents a unique opportunity for him to develop a specialization that the Guardians of the Green would find invaluable. His kitsune nature may be seen as a bridge between the eldritch magics of Rokugan and the naturalistic druidry of Faerun.

Within the heart of the forest, shrouded by the whispering leaves of ancient trees, lies the Grove of Whispers, a sacred place said to be as old as the world itself. The grove has been a source of deep magic and balance, its vitality sustaining the life force of the surrounding wilderness. But now, a mysterious blight has taken hold, its source elusive and its effect devastating. The once vibrant foliage has turned to ashen hues, and the animals have fled, leaving behind an eerie silence.

The Guardians of the Green have long protected this sacred place, but the nature of this corruption is beyond their ken. It is here that they bring Kawa, placing upon him the weighty task of delving into the grove's spiritual malaise. They believe that only through his unique "Spirit of the Fox" ability can the root of the grove's suffering be found and healed.

As the first light of dawn filters through the forest canopy, Kawa stands at the edge of the Grove of Whispers. The air is cool and filled with the earthy scent of moss and ancient wood. The Guardians of the Green watch silently, their eyes reflecting a mix of stern expectation and hopeful curiosity.

Kawa must connect with the essence of the grove, using his kitsune senses to feel the pulse of the land. He must listen to the whispers of the spirits, the echoes of the plants, and the lament of the soil. As he ventures deeper into the heart of the grove, he will encounter fragments of its history and the spirits of nature that have become entwined in the unfolding tragedy.

This task will not only require Kawa's mystical abilities but also his courage and wisdom. The grove may present illusions to test him, riddles from the spirits that guard it, or memories of the past that must be understood and put to rest. To restore the grove, Kawa may need to confront the source of the blight directly, which could be a physical manifestation or a more ethereal adversary, such as a curse or a wounded spirit.

Success will see the Grove of Whispers rejuvenated, its colors restored, and wildlife returning—a clear sign to the Guardians that Kawa is worthy of their tutelage and one step closer to becoming a Holt Warden.

Within the depths of the Grove of Whispers, there lies a sacred pool, known as the Mirror of the Moon. This pool reflects not just the physical appearance but the very essence of life itself. Its waters, linked to the moon's phases, influence the growth and health of the grove. However, the pool has become tainted, its waters darkened, disrupting its connection with the lunar cycle and, by extension, the life cycle of the grove.

The Guardians suspect that the corruption of the pool is due to a rare natural phenomenon, perhaps the convergence of ley lines or the presence of a corrupting artifact that has fallen into its depths, rather than a curse or spirit's malice. This phenomenon is entirely natural, making it a puzzle that Kawa's unique abilities are perfectly suited to solve.

Kawa's challenge will be to purify the Mirror of the Moon. In the Grove of Whispers, the natural world's voice is a symphony, and every creature plays its part. Kawa knows that to uncover the disturbance affecting the Mirror of the Moon, he must enlist the help of these creatures, whose senses are attuned to aspects of the world he cannot perceive directly.

Kawa begins his quest by reaching out to the creatures known for their sensitivity to the natural energies of the earth. Owls, known to roost within the grove, could hold the knowledge of the ley lines as they see beyond the veil of the physical world. Similarly, the badgers, deep burrowers, might sense the vibrations of any misalignments or disruptions.

As Kawa communicates with these animals, he pieces together a map of the grove's affliction. The owls speak of stars that quiver wrongly in the night sky. The badgers tell of tremors beneath the earth, of roots that drink from sour streams. This information, though fragmented, forms the edges of a puzzle that Kawa must solve.

With the clues gathered, Kawa asks for the aid of creatures more adept at navigating the waters. Frogs and newts, who live at the pool's edge, are natural choices. They could sense changes in the water's purity and might have seen the moment the corruption began. They may not understand the cause, but their observations could lead Kawa closer to the source.

Guided by the observations of his fellow creatures, Kawa is led to a part of the pool where the water is darkest, where the life once vibrant now struggles to hold on. It is here that the source of corruption is most likely to be found. A creature of the pool, perhaps a wise old turtle or a reclusive water snake, might hold the final piece of the puzzle — an account of a strange object that fell from the sky or was left behind by a passerby, now lying at the bottom of the pool.

With the help of these animals, Kawa will be able to pinpoint the location of the artifact without directly sensing the ley lines or detecting magical anomalies himself.

Kawa places a hand on Crevan's head, looking into the fox's sharp eyes. He conveys, through a series of purposeful gestures and soft vocalizations, the need for vigilance. Crevan understands the importance of his role; his ears perk up, and his stance becomes one of focused alertness. The bond between them transcends words; it is a silent pact of guardianship and trust.

With Crevan stationed as his sentinel, Kawa takes a moment to survey the area one last time. His senses are attuned to the whispers of the forest, the subtle shift in the wind, and the rhythm of the grove that beats like a quiet heart beneath the surface of the world.

Confident that Crevan will alert him to any approaching threats, Kawa fills his lungs with the cool, earth-scented air and slips beneath the surface of the water. The pool welcomes him, its chill a sharp contrast to the sun-warmed air above.

His eyes adjust to the murky depths as he swims gracefully towards the weeping willow's submerged roots. The silence here is profound, the only sound the muted thrum of his own heartbeat and the distant call of Crevan from above, a reminder of the world of air and light.

The darkness grows as he descends, but Kawa moves with certainty, guided by the instincts honed through years of living in communion with the land. He feels rather than sees the change in the water as he draws closer to the source of the corruption, a heaviness that tugs at his limbs and tries to sap his will.

And then he sees it, an unnatural shadow among the tangle of roots—a stillness where there should be life. With a final push, Kawa reaches out to the dark object that has brought such disquiet to the Grove of Whispers.

The object, enshrouded in the roots, seems to be made of a dark, dense material, possibly metallic, and is covered in inscriptions that pulse with a faint, sickly light. Kawa observes that the water around it is unnaturally still, as if the life within it has been sapped away, confirming that this artifact is indeed the source of the corruption.

Kawa knows that direct force won't be sufficient to dislodge the object. Instead, he considers the environment for a solution:

Leverage the Roots: The weeping willow's roots are strong and flexible. Kawa could use them as leverage to pry the object free. By carefully manipulating the roots around the object, he could wrap them in such a way that when he pulls, the combined strength of the roots works to loosen the object.

Aquatic Allies: Although Kawa's ability to communicate in detail is limited, he could still influence the behavior of larger aquatic animals. A beaver or a group of them, with their powerful teeth and strong work ethic, could be encouraged to gnaw at the roots or the object itself if it's organic, helping to free it.

Accelerated Erosion: Kawa could harness the natural flow of the water, perhaps by redirecting it in a way that it erodes the soil or sediment around the object. Over time, the increased water flow might loosen the object enough that he could move it.

Natural Solvents: There might be natural substances within the grove that could weaken the object's grip on the earth or its structure. Certain plant saps or acids from the stomachs of certain animals could serve this purpose.

Pulley System: Using vines and branches, Kawa might create a rudimentary pulley system. With one end attached to the object and the other looped over a strong branch above the water, he could use the mechanical advantage to lift the object.

[muichiro]

I try to see if I can get any aquatic allies to help get the artifact out of the roots.

[GameMaster]

Given his limited physical strength and his desire to maintain the balance of the grove, Kawa decides to seek help from the creatures of the water.

He surfaces and makes his way to the bank of the pool, where he spots a family of beavers. These industrious creatures are known for their ability to shape their environment, and their strong teeth make them adept at cutting through tough materials.

Using his empathy and his understanding of animal behavior, Kawa approaches the beavers. He can't speak to them directly in their language, but he knows how to convey his intentions. Through a series of gestures, gentle coaxing noises, and an open, non-threatening demeanor, he tries to draw their attention to the task at hand.

He leads them to the spot above where the artifact lies entangled in the roots. Kawa points to the water and then to the roots, mimicking a gnawing action. The beavers, curious and intelligent, seem to understand that there is something beneath the water that needs their attention.

Kawa watches as the beavers dive into the water, their natural curiosity piqued. They approach the entangled object cautiously, sensing the unnaturalness of it. However, their instinct to chew and manipulate their environment takes over. They begin to gnaw at the roots surrounding the artifact, their strong teeth working through the material.

From the surface, Kawa observes the progress, ready to dive in and assist if needed. The beavers work efficiently, and soon the roots start to loosen around the object. Kawa can see the artifact beginning to shift, the beavers' efforts paying off.

With the roots sufficiently weakened, Kawa takes a deep breath and dives back into the water. He carefully navigates through the loosened roots, reaching the artifact. Now, with the path cleared, he is able to grasp it. The object feels cold and heavy in his hands, its presence unsettling.

He pulls hard, and it comes from.

And a geyser of water behind it!  It was acting as a plug to more water, and it bursts forth with immense pressure, ripping the artifact from his hands and sending it flying into the air.  At the same time, an undercurrent pulls Kawa down into the newly formed hole!  In a panic, his fox companion desperately dives in after him.  Both try to fight against the force pulling them into the hole, but it's of no use.

As Kawa regains his senses, he realizes that it's nighttime, the desert around him bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The air is cooler than he expected, a stark contrast to the scorching heat he imagined for a desert. He and Crevan are in the outskirts of a desert town, the buildings visible as silhouettes against the starlit sky. The damp sand is the only testament to what once was an oasis.

 

[muichiro]

"where am I... how did I get here" I stand up and head to the city

[GameMaster]

It's a short walk as the city was built around what used to be water.  The few people that are about run away in the darkness, screaming.

[muichiro]

I try to see if I can tell what they are running from

[GameMaster]

At first, they are screaming because all of the water is gone.  Some of them fall to their knees and begin desperately digging in the sand with their bare hands, and their buckets, and anything else they can.  Others run back into the mosque, into the streets, and across the town all screaming.

A few see you, and scream as well, calling out to someone whose name you don't recognize, Malthor or Malagarth or something, you can't really tell from their panicked screams.

[muichiro]

I try to go into the town

[muichiro]

While I am walking in the town I try to take note of anything and everything I can.

[GameMaster]

As you enter the apparent city lines, just out of what would have once been water and onto dry sand, you  find yourself in what must be the center of town and look around to find a sprawling city out before you.  To your left there is an old broken clocktower, and an old building attached to it.  Markets surroundthe area.  Straight ahead some 100 yards or more is another mercantile area, it looks like that's where many people eat and drink, behind it and off to the right it looks like crowded and more narrow streets.  To your right is a large communcal building, it looks like some kind of religous center.

All around you, people are screaming-- some at the missing water, some at each other-- and some at you.  A couple of nearby voices break through the chaos to your ears:

"Why?" a woman wails at you, begging to understand why you've done this.
"What have you done!" a man shouts angrily.

[muichiro]

I make a confused face and say "what do you mean? what did I do" as I say that I am thinking in my mind with that artifact has something to do with the water dispersing.

[GameMaster]

As some of them get closer, and realize you're not human, they retreat in fear.

"Shaundakul comes!" they cry out.  "Flee, the Evil One is here!"
"Malgrathor protect us!" others cry as they turn and run as fast as they are able in the sand.
"Zerathos, get Zerathos!" others scream, running toward the church.

You notice that none of them have weapons, or any way to defend themselves whatsoever.

[muichiro]

"The evil one?" "what are you talking about" I say as i start to back up

[muichiro]

I try to see if I can see anything in the ethereal planes by focusing my eyes on the space around me

[GameMaster]

They don't answer your questions, and keep a healthy distance as you approach.

Peering into the Ethereal Plane, you find something is off... terribly wrong.  You are forced to pull your vision back to the Prime lest you be driven insane!