E6Q1 A Wild Forest

The Ruined Lands sprawl before you. You can see down to the bridge that the eagle scout said there were signs of the corruption spreading over and you know there will be guards posted there. You also recall the watch tower that Selrick was manning being high on the ridge above the bridge, you would have to be careful to avoid being sighted if you decided to cross at the ridge rapids which seems difficult at best. Haden suggested we try something else. She knew section of the river to the northeast that she explained as narrow and unobserved and convinced us that would be the best place to make a crossing. 

The Ruined Lands sprawl before you. You can see down to the bridge that the eagle scout said there were signs of the corruption spreading over and you know there will be guards posted there. You also recall the watch tower that Selrick was manning being high on the ridge above the bridge; you would have to be careful to avoid being sighted if you decided to cross at the ridge rapids, which seems difficult at best. Haden suggested we try something else. She knew a section of the river to the northeast that she explained as narrow and unobserved and convinced us that would be the best place to make a crossing.

Arriving at the spot Haden had described, you notice how the river narrows significantly, with tall trees on both sides providing cover.

"Alright, here we are," Haden says, unslinging her bow. "I'll shoot an arrow into that sturdy tree on the other side with a vine attached to it. Once it's secure, we can use it to cross the river."

Alster's eyes widen. "You want us to climb across the river on a vine? We're going to die!"

"I should just summon a sprite to help us across," you suggest, glancing at the river's swift current.

Haden shakes her head. "Sprites can't function in the Ruined Lands. The corruption affects their magic. This is the only option."

Talik, usually calm and composed, mutters under her breath. "We're seriously doing this? Damn." It was the first time you have ever heard her say a bad word, but it seem perfectly appropriate given the circumstances.

Haden notches an arrow, ties a long vine securely to it, and takes careful aim. With a twang of the bowstring, the arrow flies across the river and embeds itself into the trunk of a large tree on the opposite bank. She tugs on the vine, ensuring it's secure, then ties the other end to a nearby tree on your side.

"Alright, I'll go first to secure the other end properly," Haden says, gripping the vine and expertly shimmying across the river, her movements swift and confident. Once on the other side, she secures the vine even tighter, giving you a thumbs-up.

"Your turn," Haden calls out.

You take a deep breath and grip the vine, turning yourself upside down as you start to cross hand-over-hand. The world spins below you, the river rushing by with a dizzying force, but you focus on each handhold, moving steadily until you reach the other side.

Talik follows next, her face set in a determined scowl as she mutters another curse. Her progress is slow but steady, and she finally reaches the opposite bank with a sigh of relief.

Alster stands at the edge, looking pale. "I can't do this. I'm going to fall." You say to Talik, "I knew we shouldn't have let him go last!"

"You can do it, Alster," Talik encourages. "Just keep moving and don't look down."

With a whimper, Alster grabs the vine and starts across. Halfway through, his grip falters, and he dangles precariously for a heart-stopping moment.

"Alster!" Haden shouts. "Hold on!"

Summoning all his strength, Alster manages to regain his grip and swing his feet back up to cross over the vine and continues his slow, arduous progress. When he finally reaches the other side, he collapses onto the ground, panting heavily.

"You did it," Haden says, clapping him on the back. "We all did."

With the river behind you, you turn your focus back to the Ruined Lands thick with overgrown blackened plants that conceal wild animals shrieking from afar. Haden's new shield is holding well, protecting you from the dangerous corruption but you must all walk very closely together to ensure you are protected. Haden sniffs, "When was your last bath Talik?" She says accusingly. Talik very defensively whispers, "I think it is Alster, you know, 'boys'!" You also don't want to be blamed for the dubious odor and add, "Well its not me. I bathed in the river at the accommodations back in Ridoan." Alster finally pipes up in response to your supposed bath and says, "Sure you did, meanwhile rub this fragrant herb under your arms." As he handed you a small bundle of material from the forest floor. "I have this which is the smell of pine resin,  rich and earthy with a sharp, woody scent. It often has a slightly sweet and resinous aroma that evokes the freshness of a dense forest. Or I have crushed flowers, on the other hand, which can vary depending on the type of flower, but they typically release a sweet, floral fragrance. This scent is often lighter and more delicate than pine resin, with notes that can range from powdery and soft to fresh and green, sometimes with a hint of underlying spiciness or citrus!" You turn and smile at Alster and grab the flowers rubbing them under your arms and throwing them to the ground. 

You don't dare touch anything for fear of alerting some ferocious beast or contacting whatever it is that turns the plant life black. You have heard stories of many beasts that you would have a good reason to fear in these parts.

As you explore your surroundings, you start to wonder if this task is impossible. How will you even begin to cure the corruption or stop it from spreading? You only hope the sibling of light can provide answers. Alster is both horrified and fascinated all at once as the blackened plants live long enough for the corruption to spread before sitting as a rotting mass of putrid black oils and limp leaves for months. "This is terrible, so terrible", he declared every time we passed a huge corruption laden tree or bush.

"We'll need to go around," Talik says, the Mage scanning the horizon. A steep, mountainous ridge stands between you and the tower. "There's no way we can climb that." "I could," Says Haden but you are right the rest of you can't. "Hey, look at this." Haden stops you from walking so you stay within her shield. She's kneeling by a stream of lava trickling from the soil. "This looks wrong. It's glowing. Like it's — I don't know — unstable?"

You frown. "I don't see anything weird."

"The Voek technology must be enhancing your sight," Alster says, the Healer gesturing to the gauntlet she found in the ice caves within Gelgeth Mountain. "Let's keep looking around. We need to get a better view and find a way to reach the tower."

What is the ferocious beast that you should be wary of? Consult the Tome of Knowledge and make an entry in Thy Quests describing "The Beast"

Next: E6Q1 The Crater