They arrive in Veritas the afternoon on the second day of travel.

Fidelis is a city.  Veritas is a town.

It’s not walled, but there is a large citadel that could easily house the town’s population in an emergency.  You pass it as you enter the main town.  It doubles as the town’s well known prison.  It’s known as a place that has a good track record for reforming those sent here, rather than just holding them.  At least, Mae and Thaller say this is so.  Not that they’ve known anyone with more direct experience.  Given the nature of Fidelis, as you might expect, it doesn’t have many inmates.  A lot of them have to be imported- the Paladins and sometimes those of other orders will make a point of bringing captured foes here if they think there is any hope of redemption.

It’s got a lot less of everything than Fidelis does, and only four main streets:  Saint Kyrta Road, which you have been traveling, passes through the main gate and becomes the central avenue of the town.  Lake Road runs along the shore and features the Lakeside Lodge, where Thaller is looking forward to staying.  These two are parallel, and two large cross streets link them:  Reformation Street and Perseverance Street.

It might have about a thousand people, all told.  That means the specialty shops and services that exist in Fidelis aren’t here.  Pretty much just the basics, what people need for living, farming, ranching, etc, that they can’t wait for a trip to Fidelis to buy.

It has a “fur market”- a number of trappers are based here, and they set out traps in the forest outside the town, and sell the furs to buyers.  It’s an open hall where the trappers set their furs out on display.

Nothing that looks noisy or rowdy in any way- you pass an inn that looks like it could be selling tea and crumpets instead of ale.

Lakeside Lodge is, of course, on the lake, and is a large, cheery looking place made of white painted wood, with a large wrap around veranda.

There seem to be a large number of elderly people.  Most of them are relaxing on chairs looking out over the lake.  Thaller’s coach gets some attention as you arrive- the people of Veritas don’t often see great wealth.

Alison took it all in and asked the question obvious to her, "Is this a retirement community?"

"It's an inn, but a very nice one," Thaller says.  "And reasonably priced for what it is.  Something about Lake Veritas appeals to people looking for calm, and so people who are wealthy enough and not tied down with working spend a lot of time here.  But it's really an inn for everyone!"

Thaller pays for rooms, and for food- the party has nothing to worry about expense-wise today.

The common room room is large, airy, simple, and quiet.  It looks like if anyone chose "sit and listen in for good rumors" as a strategy here, they'd be very bored.

On the other hand, it's a small town, and that means more than likely any given person here knows all the other people of interest.  Or at least knows of them.

"Your assistance is most helpful, Thaller, thank you," Abadon offered appreciatively as the soaked in the room.  "The land here was incredibly... well, perfect for settling and farming.  This community - what a simply marvelous place for study.

"The serenity - so different from what I would expect outside our home complex."  The wizard-in-training happily opined as he looked about the area.

"The fur traders - if they are receiving furs from a multitude of trappers, then it would seem they are in significant position to discuss oddities observed out in the hills or around the lake, whether magical and mysterious, or related to strange travellers, healing properties, or goblin interests, do you not think?"

Alison put on her best smile and Went about questioning the people in the room.

09:54, Today: Alison rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Persuasion.

Any suggestions on questions to ask?

Alison asks questions of the people hanging around the Lodge common room.  Successfully, but without a clear intent.

When there are senior citizens around, this can be a very dangerous thing to do.

Alison starts hearing stories, mostly about people she does not know, and what they were doing a long time ago.  Stories lead off on tangents, tangents lead off on further tangents.  Some of the old folks here are locals.  Others are from a range of places, a few being from Fidelis.  It's general custom that families look after elders, so there really isn't need for an old folks home.  They just come here because its comfortable and relaxing and there are people of their generation they can relate to.

Alison does pick up some general things, even without leading with any questions of her own.

Veritas is strongly "Good aligned".  People just don't seem to have the desire to be "bad" here.  They are less selfish, more willing to help.

Being a merchant here isn't very profitable!  There are some, but they don't get rich.  They seem okay with that.

One might think that with a pervasive sense of "good" this would be a great place to be a beggar and live off the generosity of others.  But when people take and do not reciprocate, feelings of guilt rise and grow until they can't stand it.

Despite the idyllic life here, Veritas does not seem to attract many people.  It has a boring reputation.  It also has a low birth rate, so Veritas has managed to stay a frontier despite being such a nice place to live.

Because of the "natural alignment" the town is popular with members of the Society of the Reformed.  This as an Order composed of people who have embraced the cause of Good while previously being far from it.  Here, the definition of "people" goes a little further- there are a few residents in town- not here at the moment- who were "monsters".  Calphi is a Lamia!  Now she has a perfectly "legitimate" life with a nearby house on the lake.  She fishes, collects reeds, and makes things out of reeds- brooms, for example.  Sometimes she will tell stories and entertain by making illusions of creatures she knows about.  She comes from a great distance, and it seems that being a Lamia means you get to learn a lot about strange monsters of the wild lands.  No one here knows the extent of her powers, but they all think she is reluctant to use anything more significant because that would tempt her back into evil ways.

Alison loved stories...loved them with a passion normally reserved for another person. She was in absolute bliss and could spend the rest of her life right here, listening.

In the common room of the Lodge, they tell stories.  Tea and scones arrive, and the stories continue.

Merti Mindwell is an elderly gentleman from Fidelis, and a member (retired, emeritus status) of the Order of the Lamp.  This is one of the less well known Orders, though now Alison (and the others, as apparently they have not left yet) will know all about them.  The mission of the Order of the Lamp is to be the recruiters, guides, and mentors for the other Orders.  This saves many of them a fair amount of time.

"Paladins, for example, rely on people with a very specific calling.  In the whole of the Southlands they are probably no more than a few hundred, including some who aren't formally members of the Order.  Many of the young folk with the right calling to be a Paladin might never even know it, or know exactly what a Paladin is, and if it was up to the Paladins to go around and search for these future Paladins they would have time to do nothing else.  Besides, it's generally not heroic, nor does it directly do anything good for people, so it's one of the least interesting assignments from a Paladin's perspective.

"We have our own special skills.  Tools, tricks, a little magic to help us know when we've run across someone whose special destiny aligns with one of the Orders, and help us guide that person along."

"Of course some of the Orders don't really need our help and don't want it.  The Marshall's Legion, for example.  People know what a soldier is, and they know if they want to do that, and they have a sense of whether they are cut out for that life, and so the Marshalls don't need our help finding the next crop of soldiers.

"The funny thing always was, the hardest Order to recruit for was our own.  One of life's little ironies.  It's very hard finding people who want to devote their lives to finding people.  It's also hard getting funded for that, so we often have to take up what the Paladins call Side Quests.

"We have help, though.  Sometimes, powerful beings like the Gold Dragons... hang around here long enough and you might see one... they take a special interest in people.  And that can involve setting people on a certain path.  Sometimes, they steer them to us.  That's how I happened to come across this place, and I fell in love with it, and I've been spending more and more time year, though I still have my home in Fidelis."

Atraxus thanks Thaller for his contributions to the quest---indeed, it is the most luxurious journey than the Half-Orc has ever been on. He lets the more social members of the group take point in speaking with the others, and simply listens as others share their stories with Abadon and Alison.

A smile tugs at the Half-Orc's lips when he learns of the Society of the Reformed. He seems pleased that others who most might consider to be "monsters" can break the mold.

"Given the distinctive nature of the orders here," Atraxus says to Merti Mindwell, "perhaps you might have noticed someone bearing the emblem of a Winged Sword? We are hoping to find one Derne Goldfire. He is a novice of his Order, and we believe he passed through this way on a quest."

Alison nodded, "I can see why you would want to be here." Then Atraxus spoke and she nodded, "Yes, what do you know of Goldfire?"

Very fortunately, they are not searching for a "mysterious stranger" type who lurked in shadows and spoke to no one.  That's not the Paladin style.  Derne's approach was much more classic, outgoing, "Hello Good People Of Veritas!".

A few of the old folks here certainly remember him.

"Oh, a Paladin," one elderly woman says, seeing no reason to beat around the bush and talk about symbols of the order.  "That's what that insignia means, you know, a Paladin, like the young lady over there."

She points out Mae, who comes closer so that she too can hear who is talking about Paladins.

"You know we don't see them very often," the old woman says.

"I'm sorry," Mae says.  "There aren't many of us."

"Oh it's nothing like that," the old woman replies.  She's one of those small, lithe and bony old women who seem to have a lot of living left in her.  "I know about Paladins, and they don't come when they aren't needed or called, and we've had no real need."

"But there have been Goblins, and other foul creatures in the wild lands, we've heard," Mae says.

"Yes, this is true.  But nothing the people of Veritas haven't been able to deal with.  Having Gold Dragons patrol on occasion helps.  So does Calphi, she seems to know the ways of Goblins, and she can often predict what they'll do when they've been seen around.  Very smart.  So there are some dangers in the wilderness, but threats to Veritas itself... very rare.  But Derne came anyway.  He wasn't looking to defeat any foe in particular, he was very interested in our water.  You've heard, perhaps, that Veritas's lake has... properties?"

"It is like Holy Water." Mae says.

"So they say.  Derne wanted to find out why- what was the source of this power.  I think it led him to seek out the source, literally. The source of the water in the lake.  He talked to some of the trappers, and spent some time with Calphi, asking a lot of questions.  Then Calphi took him across the lake on her boat, and he hasn't been back."

"He could have run into trouble of any kind, out there," another of the old folks says.  "Sure, he's a Paladin, but he was young.  Easily could have bitten off more than he could chew.  Paladin or no, you don't explore out there alone, or unless you know exactly what you are doing."

Abaddon scribbled down the more recent information, and raised a gnomish brow. "So it still sounds wise to talk to the fur merchants, as it seems they have some information about the water - at least what Derne would have been exploring.

"However Calphi certainly seems a good one with whom to speak.  Knowledge and transportation in one.  Is there something specific that she appreciates in gift or transaction?"

Alison nodded, "Agreed. As much as I would love to stay here, we have a duty and I am not one to leave a man behind."

At the lodge, Abaddon learns that Calphi does have a favorite hobby, but has a hard time indulging it here:  Calphi collects classical art.  Paintings, sculpture, artistically crafted furniture, pottery, things like that.  It is her way of making herself feel more refined and "civilized".  She is especially fond of old things.

***************************************

Their next stop is the fur market, which the party reaches the next day, having talked their way past the market’s closing time- the trappers go home for supper, some of which was previously wearing the furs being sold.

It is not exactly a fierce, active bastion of naked capitalism, like many markets.  This is because there are less than two dozen trappers in the area, and not all of them are in the market at the same time.  What’s more, unlike craftsmen who make their wares, trappers get what they get- one trapper cannot claim to have “the best” with any consistency.  Buyers typically need many furs, 20 giant nutria make one long coat, and so the buyers will often buy up furs from all the trappers present at the same time.  Fur buyers aren’t constantly showing up, so in between selling, the trappers (often, their family members) are generally working on their furs and their equipment, socializing, planning, etc.  The market functions as a social club for them.

The Giant Nutria (AKA, Dire Water Rat) is the signature fur of the region.  It’s not unlike a beaver skin, soft, and very water repellant.  The Fidelis region isn’t generally known for high quality furs.  Much further south, in colder regions, or in mountains, the animals reach much higher floof levels.  Fidelis is warm but fairly wet (though the rain tends to be gentle, and arrive at oddly convenient times, like overnight) and the giant nutria in the waterways keep a small community of trappers going.

There are about a half dozen trappers here.  Add to that family members of trappers here and trappers out trapping, and there are over twenty of them, working, talking, cleaning furs, comparing furs.  They are the people most familiar with the countryside, and regularly range out as far as 30 miles from the town, staying at campsites they maintain.  Each family has a traditional territory, and they try to avoid intruding on each other’s turf- after all, the trapper you poach from might be your neighbor the next day in the market.

In addition to furs, the trappers also sell things they gather in the forests, especially wild mushrooms.  There are large baskets full of them.

The gnome looked carefully at the furs brought in, and the pictures by any of the traders, and drew upon his magical power.  Flipping the cap from his waterskin, he squirted a stream of water high into the air.  As the stream arced, it thickened together, and formed into a prancing Nutria formed of water; a moment later, it turned white and blue as it froze over.

"Oh, do kneel, if you would be so kind," he requested, and the ice creature complied, allowing him atop it, and it seemed to move only as he so directed it - clearly being an obedient ice monster.

In addition to hopefully drawing a bit of attention for discussion purposes, it also gave the gnome a bit of a help in sightlines that were too-often designed for tall folk.

"I'm afraid that I don't have the skills to fashion a gnomish-sized coat from your fine furs, but I would definitely purchase some of your mushrooms - if you would share a tale of them.  But definitely the mushrooms.

"We're helping a friend look for his missing friend Derne - a fine, young paladin. and we heard that he had been helped by some of the folk that know the area - and I could have difficulty knowing of folk that would know more of the region."  Abadon created an image of Derne to show the party, and thanked the talking on the road, and time spent clarifying how he looked and move and spoke - tho' this image was silent.

"I believe he was looking for something special about the lake waters, or perhaps a special flow of water into the lake.  Does that or the name or picture ring a bell to anyone?"

2. The Gnome has an instant audience.  Free magic show!  Heads turn, youngsters drop what they are doing and run over for a better look.  (A few parents complain).

When Abbadon turns to his own questions, the gang in the Trapper’s Market is already in a positive mood.

They let the oldest woman present do the speaking.  She looks like she could be kicking back with her peers at the lodge, but Hermina Woodhill is matriarch to her clan which includes a good portion of the town’s trappers, and here, she presides like a queen over a few trappers and their families.  She couldn’t run things sitting in a comfortable chair by a lake!

“That’s the hardest stretch for any of us,” she says.  “Nothing’s easy, anywhere, but that river… the animals seem to have a cunning and luck you don’t see elsewhere.  Some people say it happens when Unicorns live in a forest, but no one’s seen a Unicorn here.  Maybe Dragons do the same magic.”

The center of attention for entertainment has shifted.  Children turn away from Abbadon to listen to Mother Woodhill talk about Unicorns and Dragons.

“Yes, it’s true, the lake water is blessed with Celestial Power.  No shadow or curse ever bothers this town.  We don’t see the evils that plague other places, even though there always seem to be Goblins in the hills.  Some years ago there was a cleric up from Fidelis who tested it somehow and told us.  He said he’d keep it quiet, last thing we wanted here was a flood of pilgrims.

“But where does it come from?  That’s what your friend Derne wanted to know.  And that’s the hard stretch I mentioned.  You see, five little rivers feed the lake.  Nothing you can’t wade across, nothing’s navigable past the lake.  There’s one  where, we all know, it’s really hard for trapping.  It goes on quite a way, because we’ve followed it two days and not found a source.  The trappers who’ve tried, and there are a few in my family, they see the animals, they see the signs, but they can only catch a few.  It’s not worth the effort, so no one goes.

“Something else I know.  You might have heard of our Dragons.  Every now and then you see one.  You go that way, the chances of seeing one go up.  They come and go from that direction, sometimes, so maybe they have a home.  They’ve never said where they live, but they’ve mentioned a name; Peluciar.”

One of the younger children suddenly interrupts:  “Peluciar is a Magical Castle!”  Obviously, stories have been told.

“Well so it’s believed," Hermina says, "because Gold Dragons call it home.  Where else would they live?  But we can’t be sure of it, can we?  We could write a book about the tales of Peluciar, but... ”

She lowers her voice, and checks to make sure none of the children are close enough to hear.

"...between you and me, we made them all up, because no one's been there."

Mae speaks quietly to the characters when she can.

"There's a reason the Gold Dragons wouldn't tell anyone where their home is.  Creatures like that are powerful, but they have enemies.  I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the Goblin sightings here weren't Goblin scouts trying to find them.  I'll bet there are dark powers that would reward a successful scout who could betray their location."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:29, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Mae thinks, and unlike the others present, not only is she a paladin herself, she knows Derne.

"It's very possible that what Derne ended up doing, and what he set out to do, are two different things.  He might have come this far and even further trying to understand the water of Veritas... the fact that we know so little about it though it is so close to us makes me curious as well.  But important as that might sound, it's not the foremost of a Paladin's tasks.  It's just satisfying curiosity.  We are not explorers... we are Paladins.  If he stumbled across something else of higher priority, it would have changed his course.

"And since he hasn't returned... that higher priority probably still exists."

Alison turned to Mae and nodded, "Agreed, we have had a nice respite but we need to be about our business." There is something dark in her countenance, and she is being a bit more ... "pushy" than normal. Add it up and she thinks they are in some kind of trap and need to leave pronto.

"It certainly sounds like we have our path planned out, in that case," Abaddon thanked the merchants and traders as he finished jotting down notes of their tales.

He finished his business, collected his mushrooms, and thanked the parties one more.  The situation had provided some information to the party, and encouragingly with water along the entire path, which pleased the belowground gnomish traveller.  Bringing even a greater smile to his lips, the children and their elders' response to the small magic... that was a pleasant thing indeed.

"Fascinating," Atraxus breathes as he hears the tales told by the people of Veritas. He thanks those willing to speak with them, and joins the others. The Half-Orc nods in agreement with Mae when she mentions Derne's task changing.

"The presence of the Goblins seems odd," he offers, "although I wonder if the Gold Dragons' influence extends to them as well. If not, then perhaps there is something driving them on that can withstand the dragons' auras of goodness."

The Half-Orc rubs his chin in thought as he considers the next steps for the group to take.

"Will Thaller accompany us?" he asks the group. "I know he cares for Derne, but I worry how he will do should we face danger. He seems...ummm...unfamiliar with such hardships." The Half-Orc does his best to put his concerns delicately, although it is clear that he has concerns about the man of luxury's mettle.

Thaller looks very worried.  He is clearly unfamiliar with traveling through the wilderness.

"It's not as if I would miss the comforts," he says.  "Well of course I would, but I am the one who brought you this far, it would be dishonorable for me to quit on  you now.  But on the other hand, I am afraid that if bad things happened, I would only hold you up.  I would be completely out of my element, and I would only slow you down."

Mae nods, thinking of the endless circling back to check on Thaller, struggling along...

"You have brought us this far," she says.  "And maybe it would be better if someone stayed behind here, to wait for us, and to see if there was anything else that could be learned."

"I could visit Calphi the Lamia for you," Thaller suggests, trying to remain useful.

"And the rest of us can make better time," Mae says.  "Are we agreed, then?"

Alison looked around to make sure there were no objections.

Abaddon nodded, raising one finger.  "That, is course, subject to arranging boat travel.  If we're planning on proceeding over to the river mouth, and up the bland area, it might be wise to have a boat for travel, and we can proceed overland in alternate choice.

"Thaller, your information was most helpful, and the transportation here swift and comfortable.  I had been considering some options to allow your vehicle to proceed overland off the groomed trail, but if you are okay in remaining here, and seeking out information from the other sources, then it seems assistance is there to check that out, and we can proceed more directly by water.

"I can create a small boat, or assist our speed, but it might be wise to have an actual wooden craft in case anything were to happen to me - the Great Source of Magic be praised to otherwise matters resolving.  It also means we're able to avoid most of the troubles overland that could delay or sidetrack our search, and that we retrace Derne's path as best possible, instead of trying to pick it up partway."

"A boat!" Thaller says enthusiastically.  "There's something I can do, get you a boat!"

The party quickly learns that there are two approaches to this.  There is the lake itself, and although the lake is less than 3 miles across at the widest point, it is long, and it is about ten miles to the point where the lake ends and you have to follow the source river.

Then there is the river courses upstream of the lake.  These are not fully navigable, even by small craft.  When the trappers go up these rivers, they use small boats of frame and hide which they can carry past rocky and shallow spots.  The party would be squeezed if they had only of these.

If you just want to be carried across the lake are willing to walk the rest of the way along the river, Thaller will arrange travel.  It turns out that the best person to do this is Calphi the Lamia, who has one of the larger boats, from which she fishes.

On the other hand, if the boat-walk-boat-walk concept is chosen, Thaller will invest in a couple of the small frame and hide boats- they are similar to canoes.  These offer easier travel on the water, but must be carried when they can't be used.

"I do believe I can assist with the rocky and shallow spots," Abaddon offered at the suggestions.  "The magic granted to me can change the flow of water or move it in alternate paths.  The range is not great, but thirty feet or so is reasonable to assist a pair of vessels or three - I would recommend myself in the middle vessel.  Nor the area it can effect, but five feet is usually enough to bypass most problems, and I can cast it as often as required.  I should think that we can reverse the flow of the stream in the same range, which will make travel upstream much easier than it would be for most traversing the area.

"The Caliph's boat would seem the preferred route for crossing the lake, as we would be better off with her information as well as likely finding a faster trip than with small canoes or such used in portaging.  If a pair or three of the portagable boats could be towed along, it should be minor a drag upon her vessel, but speed our travel and increase our knowledge base.

"We then separate at the lake exit, and continue upwards in our smaller vessels."

Alison nodded along with the plan. "It seems fair. I won't be much help in a boat I'm afraid. Land soldier not a sailor."

Alison will have to learn... or it's a long trip walking along a bank!

Thaller hires Calphi for the lake crossing, and rents a pair of rowboats from trappers.  It's only Alison, Atraxus, Mae and Abadon, and more than two will have a very hard time staying close enough together for the Gnome's magic to affect them both.

Calphi is not surprised to see someone with his abilities- she calls him a water-shaper, and notes that the skill is common among the River Elves, who live a nomadic life along the inland rivers of the Southlands.  She can do it herself, hence her life along the water here.

The Lamia can take human form, but when she needs strength she is in her natural form:  she has the lower body of a lion, and a very strong upper body.

"Strength complements magic," she advises as the set out.  "Never count on magic alone."

She engages in mostly polite, small talk as she steers the boat across the lake.  But as the destination nears, she dips into things more serious.

"There is a great power there.  I can feel it.  I am still what I was, and I can tell you, power calls in ways... most people... don't feel.  That's why you find, ahh,  what you find in the lost, forgotten places.  The power has called to them.  Be ready to face whatever has answered that call.  And for a while... you see those bright red flowers?  Follow them, as the stream branches off, stay with them as long as you can.  Be careful.  Good, evil, power of any kind can be dangerous.  Always dangerous.  The difference is in caring about what it does."

"There is indeed power in good, neutral, and evil, for power is not evil or good in itself, but in how it is used," Abadon agreed with the strange lamia's discussional points raised.  "Certainly some powers are used for goodly means and others for evil goals, but I like to think that all magic has an inherent goodness... though that means using it for wicked purposes is all the greater travesty.

"Follow the red flowers - so noted.

"Thank you for the passage, wisdom, and instruction, Calphi."

Alison helped as best she could. She would row or whatever but steering was out of the question. When they arrived she tipped her hat, "Thank you." Then she followed Abadon. "Red flowers...red flowers..."

"You understand," Calphi says to Abaddon as she prepares to depart.  "Good can be power and all power can be dangerous. Don't underestimate this place.  It's not like the Dragons invite us in.  They must like their privacy, even being creatures of good.  Good luck, I hope you find your paladin, he was very nice to everyone."

Mae gives a slight smile.  Paladins tried to be nice to people.. it's the easiest and cheapest form of good, they said, costs nothing and does such wonders.

"Thank you for your help," she says.  "I suppose we take it from here."

It's mid day.  The trip to the far end of the the lake had taken half the day.  Here, one river feeds lake.  They don't see another- if it breaks into tributaries, it's not at that point yet.  On either side, the ground is flat and grassy meadow, with the relatively thin forest keeping its distance about a hundred yards away.

On the south bank, there are bright red flowers.  Not on the north bank.  The river is slow and easy here, if they choose to go further by boat.

With the others except Alison developing a bad case of silence, Abadon declined to inquire of them their thoughts, and simply continued onwards.  The simplest of knots connected the two boats, and he settled into the front one, gesturing for Mae and the others to take their seats.  Rather than reaching for the oars, Abadon simply placed a blanket folded over the seat, to arrange a comfortable seat for himself, and settled in for a long stretch.

When the party was ready, the gnome drew upon his granted powers, thanking the great provider of magic, and gestured onwards.  The might of the river slowed around the gnome's boat, then reversed, flowing backwards - only in the region around the boats.  The next section of river joined the first, until a small portion of the river continued to flow in opposite direction to the main body, and conveying the party's two boats along the red-flowered riverbank, without the need of physical rowing or worrying about the riverflow... for the river flowed where the gnome directed.

---

OOC: onward ho up the red-flowered river! 

"We appreciate your help," Atraxus says to Calphi, nodding gratefully to the lamia. "With any luck, we shall retrieve our lost paladin and stay out of the dragons' hair---er...scales."

Atraxus follows the others silently, a frown across his face as he considers the lamia's warning. Given the wondrous nature of the water's properties and the attempt to keep the location secret, he worries about what may come from thoughtlessly poking about.

"I can take point," Atraxus offers to the others. "My shield is hardy enough that I should be able to take a hit or two should we stumble across Goblins."

OOC:

Not sure if we need a survival roll, or if we just need to follow the red flowers.

"Oh, a most capital idea, Atraxus.  Yes, let you and your fine large shield to take the point of the vessel, and Alison and Qui-Lin in the second vessel."

As the joined boats began a quick trekking upstream, the gnome beaming with the magic rewarding them all, another idea percolated in the strange fellow's mind.  He focused his will again, drawing upon the gifts granted to him by the god who shared magic with the world, and released another small portion.

The front boat disappeared within a rolling wave, curling backwards against the stream's general flow, and making the second boat appear as though it were tied to some creature underwater.   The benefit of the curling back wave hid the first boat, and would hide the second boat from upstream line of sight, and certainly drew less attention than a pair of boats in the middle of nowhereland.

---

OOC:
Minor Image of a big recurving wave (like bouncing backstream from a rock or riverbed hole), once a minute.  It might reduce concerns from upstream v. obvious targets, but the real benefit is providing cover from ranged attacks for Abadon and Atraxus.

Abadon's main duty otherwise is using his water cantrip to keep the party bobbing along with the current speed to save their strength, and avoid water hazards.

Alison kept watching, "Red flowers, gotta find red flowers."

They make their way upriver in their little boats, aided by some magic.

They soon make their first discovery.  As they've been told, yes, Goblins and other creatures are drawn to this region, like moths to flame.  Something about an essence of pure good draws the evil hearted to destroy it.

The urge to ruin.

But to destroy it, they have to find it, just like you do.  Some apparently did not do so well.  You discover the remains of a small camp along a bank, created and abandoned in the recent past, with a few Goblin weapons and arrows scattered around, as if there was a fight.

There are also a few Goblins scattered around, quite dead and mangled, as if there was a fight, and they did not come out the winners.

"Goblin camp- definitely didn't turn out well for them." The gnome's comment was quiet and matter-of-fact, and he kept his magical current work continuing the pair of vessels upriver and around the larger river rocks.

"Although I always appreciate magic, scenes like that certainly make me appreciate it all over anew."

---

OOC:
21:03, Today: Abadon Crystalfist rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Perception.
What can we tell of their wounds, how the battle/ambush played out?

Mae sees what Abaddon is doing, and does her own analysis.  She has an easier time reading the  scene than the Gnome does, and picks up a few things.

"Three died here, but the camp was for at least twice that many.  There are four dropped shields."

The ones that did die here died in grisly fashion, being struck by large and savage weapons.  Something big enough to take some chunks out of the surrounding vegetation.  Nothing else left remains here, the battle appears to have been a very one sided attack on a Goblin camp.

"There were survivors."

"Something big and upset - that's all I can tell from here.  Look at the vegetation damage.  Yes, agreed Mae.  Definitely looks like the survivors scattered quickly."  He paused in thought, renewing the movement magic, keeping the scene in their rear view.  "It looks not new, but certainly not well-aged.  Not worth a closer look, nor the time, I should think, but more an alert for us, some confirmation of what we've heard."

The priest/wizard? set a pair of watery fish darting ahead, then returned his focus to the movement.

"Hold a moment," Atraxus says. "There might be more for us to find, especially if there are survivors left over. They could tell us whatever caused this." The Half-Orc gestures at the carnage caused by whoever or whatever swung those weapons.

After speaking, Atraxus surveys the field looking for tracks to follow...

OOC:

21:29, Today: Atraxus Wildheart rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Survival-Tracking.

Atraxus can track.

The tracks are not fresh, but they were made in panic, so they are not impossible to find.  Still, some time has passed, and it takes some effort.  He can track, but he cannot learn much.  The tracks from the battle site go in several directions- apparently they scattered in an effort to save themselves.

Goblins are generally aware that on the threat scale, they rank very low.  This is standard Goblin tactics for what to do when being clobbered, as it relies on the theory that the enemy sees a group of Goblins as something to be worth fighting, but a single Goblin isn't going to be worth the effort.  By splitting up, the increase the chance that the enemy will just say "Why bother, it's just one Goblin?"

But a couple of tracks reconverge.  The presence of the river, apparently, restricted the available directions for escape. Two tracks converge at the bank and join, going upriver.


It also seems apparent that the Goblins had a harder time traveling than you do.  At times it is like they had to struggle through undergrowth, which simply doesn't seem to slow you down the same way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

Alison is impressed with Atraxus' skill at navigating and tracking. "Lets hope you are as good at putting an end to things you find if we run into whatever they got massacred by."

"This is...odd," Atraxus mutters as he considers the pair of tracks leading upriver. He points out the different features to the party, as well as some of his other observations.

"Some of these tracks shouldn't be so easy to find," Atraxus explains. "This fight happened a few days ago, and the dirt was not wet. It's almost as if the land wants us to find whoever made them."

Atraxus gives a soft snort of a chuckle at Alison's remark.

"Let's try and show the land and its masters a bit more courtesy than the goblins did," he replies. "And if we are lucky, perhaps we can ask the Goblins what they did to trigger such a dramatic response."

"That _is_ interesting, Atraxus," Abadon opined thoughtfully from his boat location.  "And I agree that you seem quite the skilled one at tracking.

"The land aiding... that makes me think of the travel out here, with the road seemingly aided, the farming land being perfect, almost aiding the endeavours.  If the land's spirit has been awakened through magic of relic or relics of power, then it would not be dissimilar from the entry here, as the very land tries to aid in defending its heart.

"Ah, interesting points to journal." Accordingly, he updated his notebook, and moved the boats ahead when Atraxus was reseated.

"I've been thinking about that," Atraxus says as he climbs back onto the boat. "Dragons are creatures with overwhelming auras, and gold dragons would have an aura of goodness. I wonder if the dragons are responsible for the way the land responds, or if the properties of this region drew them here.

"Either way," he finishes, "we should follow the tracks upstream. If the goblins are around, perhaps they can provide more clues as to what is going on here..."

Abaddon considered the suggestion, weighing options, but shook his head slowly.  "I am aware it was one of the looser options we considered back in town... but I would suggest not doing that plan.  If the goblins knew where to go, then they would be there, not over here.  That they are wandering about looking without finding suggests that their 'call' to the area is being occluded, or misdirected - they may only be able to sense the general area, and we're already in the general area.

"Secondly, we have a directed path - the path that our errant paladin was travelling.  At the end of the day, we're seeking the paladin, not the goblin goal... we just presume one to be the other, correct?  If we have a red-flowered river route to follow, as our paladin headed down, it would seem more logical to follow the same path, effectively retracing his route... versus wandering hither and yon. We could spend months wasting time."

"No," Atraxus explains, "I don't believe the Goblins and Derne are connected, as this does not look to be the work of a novice paladin. I also don't think that we will be wandering quite that long. I'm a decent tracker, and this trail is but a few days old. My interest here is finding out what the Goblins encountered, and perhaps be able to use that as a warning for our errant paladin just in case he does not see the reason in leaving well enough alone.

"Besides," he adds. "I have a hunch that we will find our way and back rather quickly, so long as we respect the spirit of this place."

"We are in agreement than Derne was not the massive creature that scattered the goblin camp, and certainly agreement in your tracking skills." the gnomish priest clarified, in slow agreement as he rephrased his argument. "If we are agreed that we do not connect the goblins to Derne, and not their travel to his, and we have a path to him that we should be following, I'm not quite clear the 'why'.

"We are here to find Derne, and we have a path to him that we should be following.  But you wish to ignore our task and safer, direct path to go venturing hither and yon after goblins?  They are no friends to our people, but also not enough to be more than pests from overbreeding.

"Is there some holy quest or oath you have that mandates?  How are we benefitting by the delay in recovering Derne?  Cui bono?" Abadon looked curiously, interested in the interest and motivation of Atraxus' suggestion.

Atraxus grins coldly at Abadon's mention of Goblins as mere "pests." That comment strikes a nerve in the Half-Orc that immediately shifts his demeanor.

"The same has been said of people like me," he answers pointedly. "That we are not 'friends' to 'your people' because of a circumstance of birth. But I have seen just as many Humans, Gnomes, Elves, and Dwarves choose evil over good despite their reputation.

"I have no holy quest or oath to uphold," he continues, "but I find that the saying 'forewarned is forearmed' is true more often than not. Those Goblins did something to provoke that response, and it would behoove us to know whether it was an act or mere intent that wrought it." Atraxus emphasizes his point by gesturing toward the destruction.

"To me, that knowledge is worth the slight delay in finding Derne," he finishes. "Especially since it seems the land is intentionally slowing them down as they fled upstream, whereas it seems to actively be aiding our journey. It should not take much time."

"Except for gnomefolk, I quite agree," Abadon replied, unaffected by the chilling of Atraxus' tone. "And I did not malign you, though you seem to have taken offence.  I expressed only that goblins we encountered at home were pests, not threats like the drow or due-sorry, the dark elves or dark dwarves, I believe the surface folk call them. Those were far more dangerous than the goblins of tunnel or cave.  Humans, of course, very varied and unreliable.  Few travelled below the surface, and very, very few of those were anything but equally as evil as the dark elves and dark dwarves.

"It was part of the reason that few of my kin were of mindset to travel so far aboveground, despite our missing kin."

The gnome considered Atraxus' position, shrugging.

"I'm still not particularly swayed.  If we knew these had done something, or were on to something, and that we needed to stop whatever that was - it would make sense to me.  I also quite agree on study and learning to prepare to deal with problems.

"That being said, if the group feels following the goblins is worth the delay on finding Derne, then by all means.  Either way, the tracks appear to be following our river path for now, so both objectives seem to be working together... for now, at the least.

"Were you thinking of travelling by land or river in your following of goblin tracks?"  Either way, of course, the gnome loved his water, and would be following by boat - leaving those behind seemed another foolish plan, but hauling them overland for long distances seemed as unpleasant or unwise as leaving them behind... in most places.  Perhaps here, the land would look out for the vessels?

As they discuss whether to follow tracks or river... it quickly becomes apparent that the Goblins had a similar thought.  At least, the two tracks that converged follow the river.  There is no telling where the third Goblin went, as that track diverged wildly and did not rejoin.

"A pest to us, but more than a pest to many innocent people," Mae says, after considering both sides.  "No, we cannot distract ourselves from Derne, but I have a feeling that he and these Goblins had similar plans.  I wonder if it is random luck, or did they choose this particular river... or are their Goblins throughout these lands and we are only finding the ones whose path coincides with our own?

"One thing we should not overlook.  The boats are convenient, Abaddon, but they cannot hide well.  Out on the water, if they are on shore, they will see us before we see them.  I'm wondering.. if they do, will they want to fight?  Or hide and let us pass by?"

Her questions become more of an issue as the day wears on.  The party has made much headway, following the flower strewn riverbank upstream, and finding continued evidence that Goblins came this way.  The movements of the Goblins seem slower and more erratic- surely, if they went this way, the party must be catching up to them.  At some point soon, camp must be made.

In the later afternoon, the party sees a Dragon for the first time- but it is far, just a dark shape flying above the horizon to the west.

Mae seems entranced by it.

And then, you hear a shout.  That too, is in the distance- but closer than the Dragon.  It is in the language of the Goblins, and it repeats, as if one is calling to others.

Alison, taking on the Captain Obvious role, says, "It sounds like they are working together, yes?" She nodded, "Let us continue in the boat. The boat seems safe."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:24, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Being able to take to the water easily, the party has a mobility advantage over Goblins, and it is soon clear that although you are getting closer to them, you will not meet them if you are deliberately trying to avoid them.

It's a simple matter:  the Goblins do not breaking cover and moving in the open.  The river is open.  Sure, they could wade across it, but they've been attacked already and they could easily be seen wading.

So all the party has to do is move to the other side of the water, or float past them when they are camped.

This becomes clear as they travel to the end of the day, make camp, and then travel the next day.

*** *** *** *** ***

You have now been traveling upriver a day and a half, and you are reaching the limit to where trappers from Veritas have gone.  Between tracks, and occasional shouts in the forest, you are aware of two things:  First, the Goblins have managed to regroup, and at least three of them are now traveling together.  On the other hand, that might not be all of them, and there could be others out there but staying silent.

Second, the boats, the water, and the Gnome's magic lets you outmaneuver them.  Unless the party wishes to encounter the Goblins, you can probably stay away from them.  At some point, though, you will have to pass them, and then the Goblins will likely spot you- they are adept at scouting in the forest, and if you pass by on the water they are more likely to see you than you are to see them.  Of course its possible that the Goblins have no interest in encountering you, either.

"We cannot keep avoiding them," Atraxus says regarding the Goblins. "They found one of their missing number, and are traveling along the same path as we are. It would be best to face them, find out what they know, and dispatch them. Who knows. Perhaps the nature of this place is slowly getting to them as well."

Azu nodded, "Agreed. We should cut them off. I have a spell which will make fighting them easier and can cover from a distance with my crossbow."

"Well, as to that, we actually can, if we so continue to wish to do so," the gnomish cleric-wizard offered helpfully as he examined the water and shoreline.  "I had us floating along the surface as my understanding was the such was preferred by surface folk.

"I can instead shape the water to create an underwater bubble around one boat, and leave an air chimney.  The same process of having the current carry us the opposite direction, and we are both out of sight and keeping fresh air; it also carries the extra pleasure of being able to watch the fish as we go bye them.  From the woods, even the sharpest eyes would see nothing.

"If we are truly concerned about the confirmed goblin numbers and scouting habits, this might be a prudent time for one of us to return to the town, alert them about the goblins gathering and scouting along the river, even after being routed away, and despite the dragons in the area.  Qui-Lin - you have been thoughtfully observing - what is your thought?"

Azu seemed like she might vomit at Abadon's suggestion. She turned very green. "Could we please save that for an emergency?"

Qui-Lin Xiang, the small monk had been very quiet- such was her nature in unknown places.

She looks at the water.. this far upstream, it is shallow enough to wade across, even for the Goblins.  She looks at the Gnome... perhaps he judges depth differently, but...

"I think it is too shallow here to do as you suggest," she says.  To test, she reaches an oar down.  "It is shallow."

She points to the non-Goblin side of the river (which gets smaller and smaller as you go upstream naturally).

"There is an easy way to pass them by if we want to.  We can carry the boats past them when we think we are getting near, on the north bank.  We can travel on land for a while, and Alison will not vomit.  But I wonder... if we are destined to meet with them sooner or later, perhaps Atraxus is right and we should do it on our terms."

At this point Mae speaks up.

"A Paladin does not start battles."

"And I do not start them when I do not have to. It is probably easiest to evade the Goblins," Qui-lin says.  "But the easy way, on foot.  Five of us can easily carry two boats for a few miles."

"Oh, my, I see," the gnome replied thoughtfully, nodding as Qui-lin demonstrated the shallowness.  "I forgot the height of you tallfolk - no offence meant.

"Agreed that overland to avoid makes sense.  I am afraid that my shorter height would mean you four would need to pair up in such transporting.  Although... if any of you become tired, I can animate a pair of wagonwheels on an axle, and have it roll along behind to follow a lead person.

"Alternatively, I could animate water to move in a flowing pattern on one side alongside us, providing a more realistic cover, as the water flowing would merge in appearance with the rest of the river, but it would apply only against the goblin side of the river."

As they go on, Atraxus can still track the Goblins easily.   There are plenty of marks- footprints planted into deep earth, places where Goblins seem to have struggled or tripped over roots and entangling vegetation.

And they realize... he's been walking across similar terrain, and yet, neither Atraxus nor the other party members who might choose to walk are having such a tough go of it.  They are not getting snagged on brush, they are not getting boots stuck in soft ground.  For them, the going is very easy, a pleasant stroll in a riverside park.

They've noted earlier the uncanny "helpfulness" of the land here.  It is impossible to deny, and it is also clear now that the Goblins are not having the same experience.  They are struggling through a tough and resistant wilderness.  Even when it is the exact same trail.

As they get close the Goblins become easier to track and to hear- and when they are too close the party switches to the other side of the river and travels inland, trying to keep the river to their left.

Again, the trail is surprisingly easy.  Even as it becomes increasingly hilly, the land is accommodating- there always seems to be an easy path ahead of them.

"I am very curious as to why there are no settlements in this land," Qui-Lin Xiang says.  "It goes out of its way to be kind to us.. who would not want to live here?

"The trappers say the animals are hard to catch here," Mae reminds.

"Even so... one does not need to catch animals to live.  This place obviously favors people, and yet no one lives here."

"It favors life and goodness," Atraxus adds while following the tracks in the land.

"I wonder if its nature is having some effect on the Goblins. After all, we have seen a lamia redeemed by it. Perhaps the land wishes to foil the Goblins' intentions to destroy it, and give them the chance to turn away from Evil."

Alison helped move the boat. She is much much happier on land. Her spirits improve to a point that she seems to even smile! "We should worry less about the land and more about our goal."

"It may be surmised that if the land exudes a control over the life energy and shaping of matters, that it may likewise present a subtle aura or encouragement to travel and enjoy, but not linger and reside where either nature is sought to be maintained, or perhaps a defensive distancing to discourage presence or long-term activity that might interfere with protection of whatever is needing the protection - dragons, relics, or otherwise," Abadon philosophized as they journeyed.

Goblins are late sleepers, you find out, and none too hasty about cleaning up camp (something they don't do a very good job of anyway) and moving out.

Thus, it isn't in the dark that you finally pass them, but several hours after dawn.  It's either pass them, or wait for them to get moving again.

They are out there, now on "their" side of the river but hidden away from the river bank, apparently still unaware that they have been tailed, or there would probably have been some kind of a reaction.

Once past them, there is little chance of them catching up unless you choose to let them.  The land clearly is easy for you to move across, and difficult for them.

It stays easy, even as you move into rocky uplands.  There are some stretches of white water which would be difficult to handle in boats, but whenever you need to bypass, there are convenient paths where the rocks form convenient natural stairways.  By now, you have figured out that Goblins would probably not have such an easy time of it.  When they reach it, the rocks will probably be extra slippery and there will much cursing and slipping.

You see one of the local inhabitants- a Dragon, with scales that look like polished gold, cruising serenely through the air.  The Goblins are probably not happy wit this, you can imagine them ducking under heavy brush, trying to be invisible.  This dragon is not far off in the distance like the one you saw the other day- this one is doing broad orbits of this area.  Eventually, it might even pass near you.

Mae is fascinated.  Gold Dragons are held in the highest regard by the Order of Paladins.

Abadon twisted his fingers, gesturing to the sky.  A series of ululating cries burst into being high in the sky, turning into high-pierced shrieks that could carry sound for miles.  When it looked like the dragon had turned attention their way, goblin shrieks replaced the cries.

When the gnome judged the dragon was close enough to see it, a 5' large goblin head appeared in the sky, 30' up.  Clearly magically-created, that image disappeared, to be replaced by a large directional arrow back downstream, on the goblin side of the river.    Three goblins, hiding in a section of trees.  Arrows back downstream, goblin-side.  Repeated.  Repeated.

"That should do the trick."  He looked to the others, and gestured to continue onwards. 

"Shall we venture forth?"

---

OOC: Minor Image for sounds, then images to direct the dragon towards where the goblins have been travelling, etc.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

Centuries ahead of his time, Abaddon invents the concept of Forward Air Controller for the Dragon.

A short time afterward, there is some roaring and shouting in the distance.

No fire or smoke, just a lot of noise.

And some time after that, the Dragon is headed back... and this time seems to have a better idea of where the party is.  It is headed in the party's direction and will arrive very soon.

Abaddon looked about for the best clearing to permit a dragon easier landing.  "It does seem that you should have opportunity for your desire, Mae.  I should imagine that he or she will arrive in relatively short order."

When a helpful clearing presented itself, Abaddon sent a tree-height signboard, angled so the image would be visible to a flier, but not to, say, goblin scouts in the trees.  A smiling gnome waiving, then an arrow down to the clearing, with a teapot and cup - might as well be social.

Alison sighed, "Tea with a dragon...this should be interesting."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Mon 12 Apr 2021.

It's a Dragon, it's big, it's bright gold, and it's scaly.  Lots of them, from snout to tail, and they all settle in great draconic crescent shape alongside and partly around the party.

Mae bows reverently.  Qui stares in silence.

It's hard to tell one Dragon expression from another, unless you've seen a great many Dragon faces over many years.  Even so, you get the impression that the Dragon is not angry.  It looks everyone over.

When it speaks, it comes out in a deep, clear sound... layers of low tones, and there must be more layers, too low to even here coming from a throat that big, give it a remarkable resonance.

"You've no doubt seen how gentle this land is for you.  That's good.  But there is danger here that is hard to understand.  You risk much, if you travel further."

Alison nodded, "We have indeed. I can understand much. We are searching for a Paladin."

The deepgnome bowed deeply, respecting both the majesty of the great creature, as well as the simply massive size that made him feel snack-sized.

"Simply magnificent.  Many tales of your kind in my home, but as grand as the tales were, they pale before the sheer grandeur.  Simply magnificent.

"I must apologize, for the rarity of your kind belowground means we know not the proper greeting of you, nor the proper naming.

"I am Abadon Crystalfist of Azuth; these my companions.  As the helpful soldier notes, we seek a specific paladin, Derne of Fidelis, a member of the same fellowship as fine Mae, here.  We have followed Derne's trail to here, and seek to find his situation, that we might report hopefully good news to his friends seeking word; if not good word, then at least closure to their worries.

"Yet we have been both encouraged by the lands, and concerned at the presence of so many goblins, and unrelenting despite the clear disparity in power and welcome they face.  This much magic blessed by Azuth into the land speaks of great importance, and perhaps even greater need."

Alison nodded, "You obviously know we are here to help. We need your help as well. How can we obtain this?"

The Dragon seems to take a deep Dragon breath.

"Derne of Fidelis.  You have come here to find your friend?  That's a worthy cause.  Derne did not expect it, though.  I wish he had."

"Why?  What happened to him?" Mae asks with sudden anxiety.

"The dangers here are of the soul, and not even a Paladin is immune.  This is why I ask of you a solemn promise to never reveal what you are to learn about this place.  We have foreseen what would happen if it were to become common knowledge.  We cannot accept it.  The secrets must be preserved, at all costs."

Alison nodded, "Agreed."

The gnome nodded gravely at the dragon's suggestions and submission."A concerning comment, great guardian wyrm, with respect to Derne.  I should clarify - we were asked to find word of Derne by his friend Thaller of Fidelis, who accompanied us as far as Veritas.  With the exception of Mae, we have not met Derne, though have heard only good and inspiring things of his desire to do good works.

"Of course, I have no qualm in abiding by protecting word of here - I would simply suggest that something be told to his friend, to stop additional queries or helpers inadvertently drawing more attention to this region.

"Tea?

"Is there a name by which we might discuss with you - it seems terribly poor manners to not call you something - I appreciate that TrueNaming has implications - I simply refer to a name for purpose of discussion, instead of 'hey you' or somesuch parlance."

Atraxus nods in agreement as the dragon asks them to swear to keep what they learn of this place a secret.

"You have my word," Atraxus says. "To respect and keep your secrets, to leave the land as untouched as possible, and do what we can to rescue Derne."

"What we are told to keep secret by the Dragon, we must withhold even from Thaller," Mae says.  "He is a devoted friend, but in the scheme of things, if this knowledge can bring great harm, then the secret must be kept regardless.  I am beginning to suspect it is already known, to some degree, in the inner circles of the Order of Paladins."

"That is true," the Dragon replies.

"On our journey here we were beginning to suspect that there is something here that if known by our enemies would give them great advantage," Mae speculates.

"Not really," the Dragon says.  "Perhaps you know already, scattered through all of the Southlands are places where the boundaries of different worlds- Planes, the scholars call them- touch this one.  The effect is so strong that the power of those other Planes leaks into this one.  In the heart of our land is the is nexus of pure Law and Good.  It is the reason this land is so welcome to you.  It would be for you, for all of your kind, pure bliss to live in our land, to lie in the meadows and feel the sun above you and live happily for the rest of your lives."

The monk with you gives a very skeptical look, one that carries the unspoken comment:  A great threat indeed.

"And we are not meant for this," Mae concludes.

"That is not the half of it," the Dragon says.  "Your souls are not ready for it.  For along with the physical comfort there can come torment of the soul.  If you give in to the beauty and joy of this land you will be drawn closer to the center, it will become irresistible.  But as you get closer, the Celestial power emanating from another Plane sweeps the land.  If you are touched by its perfection and purity, you will see your own failings as unforgivable and abominable.  You risk being overwhelmed in shame and guilt... even such as the Goblins risk this.  Many of them come to see themselves as irredeemably horrible and take their own lives in despair.  We try to warn them of this, but they are stubborn and often take our attempts to be attacks.   Derne is a Paladin, and for those committed to the cause of Good this can be all the worse.  He was struck.  He is still alive, his body is whole but weak as it is hard to feed him, his mind is afflicted and he does eternal penance for minor errors no Human should feel more than ordinary shame for.  We do not know what to do with him.  We do not know what we can do, if even taking him away now would cause him to suffer more.  We are not Human, and though we are wise our knowledge of the Human soul and its workings is far from complete."

"Humans are complex, and varied - it makes sense their souls be similarly." The gnome replied thoughtfully.  "And yes, we have seen the chaotic planes imposing their presence upon lands to north, so balancing would be expected.  It is concerning that the planar boundaries are so weak here as to be having that broad an impact on the prime plane, here.

"As to Derne, it would seem a few options.  Remain here.  He hasn't been improving, and since presence here is concerning, and seemingly overwhelming, it would suggest he is unlikely to improve, and likely only worse.

"Option2, remove him quickly.  Pull the bandage, as it were.  Fly him quickly out.  Quickest, removes the overpresence immediately.  Potential downside, if the presence is overwhelming him, is that it may have become the new resistance against which what is left of his psyche is balancing in effort to hold onto his mind.  Like the old adage of the tree resisting the wind, only to fall over when the wind drops.

Option3: remove him gradually.  We take him back to Thaller across land, or water perhaps.  Retrace our route.  Reduce the pressure upon his spirit gradually.

Option4: find something that can magically aid him.  With the length of time the planes have been imposing upon the land, we know at least the ancient dwarven society had markers to help magically stabilize the boundaries, and protect those within the regions.  It would also seem reasonable that other longer-lived folk of the various regions might well have created items for travellers, workers, explorers, or studious folk.  Something carrying a fragment or overlay of the natural plane should help stabilize things in his form."

Alison nodded, "I agree these are the best options. Of those, I think our best bet is to move quickly so as not to be overcome by this...beneficent malaise."

"Is it possible, O Dragon, to grant us some insight or boon to help us safely reach Derne and resist the land's pull?" Atraxus asks. "I would think it best for us to move quickly to reach Derne and then determine how best to extract him. That being said, I think the less time we spend here the better..."

Alison leaned over to Atraxus, "That is what I just said."

"Not quite," Atraxus replies. "I was voicing agreement while also asking our host for aid, and adding my thoughts on Abadon's plans. I prefer to be flexible in response, especially when there are so many unknowns."

The Dragon nods.

"Magic is not a good tool for the kind of help to bring to Derne.  It is a cheat, an illusion.  This is a matter of the soul, nothing less than truth will do.  What pain there is must be faced, and overcome, or there will be no chance of success.

"But mind you, be careful, and be of strong will, do not think yourselves immune to the draw of this land.  Do not take the danger lightly, as Derne did, if you want to return home."

The monk responds.

"So there is a risk of not wanting to return home... I understand.  Our order is trained with discipline.  But it helps to have a focus.  I suggest, those that want to press on, put something in your minds that will keep you wishing to return home, or... we lack homes at the present... to where we where before.  It might help if you have some physical token.  Am I correct, Dragon?  Would that help keep ourselves from being overcome by the blessings of this place?"

"I do not know," the Dragon says.  "My kind do not have that problem, and we have never really concerned ourselves with solving it.  But it seems sound."

"How many have become lost to this place?" Qui Lin asks.

"Very fortunately, less than you might suspect.  We do  try to warn people off, even if they are Goblins who assume our warning is an attack.  Most people obey Gold Dragons.  But some slip past, now and then.  Derne is the latest... him and a few Goblins, who are still roaming around somewhere despite my efforts.  Are you ready to proceed?  And willing?"

Alison nodded, "I have my horn, my uniform, and the flag of my former company. Any of these three will be adequate. I am prepared."

The gnome's nose twitched as the dragon termed magic "a cheat", replicated a second later at "an illusion."  Courtesy still governed as the priest of magic waited his turn, but the tension was certainly different.

"Great wyrm, such slurs are beneath one such as you.  Your kind is likewise steeped in gift of magic, and to demean it so is less than one would expect of a great bastion of good.  Like Derne's noble efforts, there is a reminder that good and true may still be in err, from an absence of good information.

"Azuth's gift to the world can provide illusions, I grant, but there are many great healings that can only be done through divine magics, or amazing crafts and supports created through arcane magic.  The ancient dwarven kingdom to the north used magical planar anchors to abate or resist against the invading chaotic planes, to protect their people.  Closing one's eyes or mind to other forms of assistance is literally short-sighting yourself.  Without the magic gifted by Azuth to my people, we would have been hunted and destroyed many times over.

"Magic is most certainly not a 'cheat'.  A person who breaks his leg and has stick and linen to bind the leg straight to heal is not cheated any more than if a walking crutch is provided to him to walk around as he would do so.  Magic is a gift and a tool, and can be used correctly or misused incorrectly - so not that magic is false or shallow, but that it, like wisdom and good intentions, must be applied correctly to provide assistance.

"As my training and learning with magic continues, it will open more and more doors to provide assistance - some with protecting against harsh effects, or other magics, or perhaps ability to divine the truths that must be faced.  It is a skill of great discipline, and should be respected in kind.

"I am certainly prepared to assist Derne in facing and overcoming his challenges.  And I am most certainly willing to aid, and to face the challenges.  I respect the good in your words, and your suggestion on dealing with it.  I simply keep my mind open to additional options, especially when your form of structured thought has, as you have noted, not been able to determine how to address the harm, because you do not have the problems, and so do not lend your great minds to overcoming the problem not existent to you.

"I have my anchors - my symbols of faith, and my book of study."

Atraxus takes a moment to think as he hears Qui-Ling and the Dragon discuss strategies on how to survive. He sets down his traveling pack, and pulls out a bird of prey feather. It is about the length of his hand, brown and mottled.

"I have no item to focus on," he says to the Dragon. "Only my will to prove that I am able to give respect and worthy to earn it. However, I have this memento from my first attempt at trapping a hare. My trap was well-set, and a hare sprung it. However, an eagle swooped down and took my prize before I could claim it. I have kept it as a reminder that no plan is perfect, and that life requires us all to grow. Perhaps this place will show me my failings in painful detail, but I have always aspired to recognize them and improve."

The Half-Orc pulls a thread free from a tattered spot on his cloak. He knots it around the feather, at the spot between the after feather and the downy barbs. He then ties the string into a makeshift loop, and slips the memento over his head.

"I would not presume to know more than the host about his home," he says after Abadon's lengthy dissertation on magic. "I took the Dragon to mean that we must rely on our own strength of will to face what lies ahead, and brave the nature of this place. In short, Derne must overcome this trial on his own---without reliance on an intervention by the mundane, arcane, or even divine."

"Certainly sensible, and quite likely," Abadon agreed, not angry or ranting, simply ... well, disappointed at the disparagement of magic.  "Merely to not disparage the gift of magic, nor discount it.  Especially in a context where the treatment is unknown, and efforts limited as not an issue to them, keeping minds open to consider other things, other ways to address... that may very well also provide answers needed, if not previously sought."

"What I meant was..."  the Dragon searches for words.  Some elements of philosophy do not carry well over language barriers, especially when one of the those languages is Draconic.**

"When there is a test of the soul, when your being is weighed on the scales, magic will not help you.  There are magics that may make an evildoer seem righteous, but no magic will make such a being be righteous, that must come from oneself.  Now this place, we have been here a long time, and still we do not understand it fully.  Is it better to be Good, and thereby sooner embrace the power here, or Not, and try to resist it?  But if you are prepared and anchored, you must come with me.  You must be honest with yourself, if you feel yourself failing, make no show of excess will, there is no point to that."

The Dragon begins walking upstream, holding itself to a pace the others can follow easily.

Travelling upstream, you begin to feel what the Dragon was talking about.  At first, it's just an appreciation of the land's beauty, and the uncanny way it helps you, as if it wants to make your life as pleasant as possible.  No one trips, no one slips, or gets caught in thorns (though it seemed like the Goblins faced all of this.)

There's even a conveniently placed apricot tree when you are hungry.

And then a thought emerges:  why, really, would anyone want to leave such a place?  It's wonderful.  You could be happy here, for the rest of your life... and if the Dragon was right that would be real happiness, and not an illusion of it.

And then another thought:  Do you deserve it?  Are you worthy of it?  Have you earned this paradise?

For a while, these are just ideas... that come...and then come back with increasing frequency.  But you can feel them getting stronger.  It does not help that these two ideas conflict.




**They have over thirty words describing different kinds of scales.  The language is filled with words denoting the age of a thing.  Along with the language of the Treants, theirs is the only language that would use different words for Tree, Old Tree, Very Old Tree, and Really Really Ancient Tree.

Alison kept the folded flag of her company in hand. She held it and focused on the symbol, two crossed hammers. She had not earned this paradise. She could not remain...right?

Abadon nodded to the dragon as he explained more appropriately and less offensively.
It was a simple thing, and expected, but something that had needed be said.

~
"The effect of the place is gentle, but pervasive.  I had no intention of coming nor remaining here, yet part of the place's aura suggests such.  I feel that I would be happy here forever, yet I know that remaining here would limit my learning of magic, and that is by far the most important gift and love in my life, so I know the first feeling imposed, despite its gentle nature.

"Likewise, I had no feelings of being unworthy, for my love of Azuth's gift is my greatest gift received, yet I feel the feeling impressed upon me.

"I remain quite my own person, but I advise in courtesy, lest the rest of you not be being affected, and to know my weakness; or if you are being affected, then to know the feeling not unknown or dissimilar."

"Insidious might be a better description," Atraxus replies. "The sensation lingers at the periphery of my thoughts, amorphous yet present." He looks forward at the dragon and the paradise that lies ahead.

"I can only imagine what someone who strives to be a paragon would feel..."

By the time this little group reaches their destination it's no longer just a feeling, it's a constant desire they need to struggle to suppress.  A burden.

Staying would be... perfect.  Everything here is perfect.

There's a lake, and a gazebo on a hill overlooking it.  As you get closer, you can see that the gazebo isn't a built structure, it's as if wisteria plants simply took it upon themselves to grow into the form of a gazebo... complete with outdoor furniture.

Of course.  Why would you need to build anything here?  This place will always take care of you...  whatever you need.

The lake beyond is almost to perfect to look at.  Everyone knows, instinctively, that going there... that would too much.  Going there means no going back, the world could have nothing worth living for, after you've felt the embrace of those clear and sparkling waters.

Even from a distance, you can see one person sitting in the gazebo, reading.

"Behold the object of your quest," the Dragon says.

Alison began to say, in a whisper at first but louder as she went, "The purpose of life is to endure. Pain is part of life. Without valleys there is no view from the mountains." She just repeats this, over and again, keeping herself focused against the torrent.

"Well, that is an...unexpected sight," Atraxus replies to the Dragon, perplexed at seeing the supposedly endangered Paladin sitting and reading peacefully. The Half-Orc glances down at his makeshift totem---the feather necklace. He focuses on the memory it embodies, and the lesson it taught him. Perfection is something to strive toward, not a destination for mortals to reach.

"Ho! Derne Goldfire! We come with tidings of your Order!"

"A perfect place - and yet, I know it is not.  There is no magic to study, no magic to cast, no art to play and manipulate, for this place would resist change and learning - it is... no, it is not perfect, it is perfectly static.  It wishes stability."  The gnome worked his way through a very problematic situation, and finally turned his back to the water, focusing on his holy symbol and different water he raised to act and dance.

"This place is a gift, for certain, but not for folk that seek to appreciate a greater gift.  Let us indeed approach Derne."

Abadon trekked forward with the other party members.  "Yes, Derne - your friend, Thaller, sent us to find word of you - he is greatly wishing to hear from you."

The party approaches almost to the gazebo before the man inside responds.

He turns at the sound of his name.

"I am... I was.. .I am Derne," he says, sounding very unsure.  "Who..."

He pauses, recognizing one face, the female paladin who came here with the party.

"Mae? Why?"

"To find... what is this place?  I don't deserve to look at such a place."  Mae falls to her knees, and looks at the ground.

Derne shakes his head.  "Who are you, why did you bring Mae here?" he asks the party in general, not being clear on whom he should speak to.  "The Dragons told me I wasn't ready, how could she be?"

"We have come for you, Derne," Atraxus replies. He keeps his eyes focused on the young paladin, using every ounce of his will to keep from looking toward the lake.

"You are correct," he continues, "Mae is not ready. None of us are. However, we have traveled here to bring you back from the brink. What lies beyond is not meant for people like us. We are not dragons, friend. Let them have their home, and let us return to ours."

Abadon poured water from his flask, using his magic to raise frozen curtains to block the site of the sparkling lake - which was perfect for other people, achingly so, but he WANTED, NEEDED to learn and treasure the true treasure of Azuth's gift to the worlds.  Indeed, upon each of the watery curtains, a symbol of the lord of magic was seen centrally focused.

"You are, Derne.  Your friend Thaller called us in to help look for you, make certain that you were okay, or find what happened.

"Mae is here because People, like magic, have different strengths, different ways to work through life.  Mae is here because, as she said, she wished to find you, help you, and bring you home.

"The dragon we met along the way thinks you will recover yourself as we move away from this area.  Your stay here is done, Derne, as Atraxus here is noting.  Your duty now is to come with us, and help protect this special place.

"Do you need help in gathering your belongings?  We should depart shortly, to help protect Mae and you both.  You need to come with us, now."

Alison kept repeating her mantra and tried to get Mae back on her feet. "ON YOUR FEET SOLDIER!"

Alison's very unpredicted, unexpected response to Mae snaps the Paladin back, if only to look at Alison and ask, "Huh?" with a weary and bewildered expression.

Derne, though, shakes his head.  He speaks in a very weak and tired voice.

"I'm not good enough.  I'm not.  Too many failings, too many things I haven't done.  Here.. I can learn.  How can I be a Paladin when I'm not good enough?"

"What lesson would you learn there?" Atraxus asks Derne, gesturing toward the lake while keeping his eyes locked squarely on the paladin. "I know little about the life of a paladin, but I do know something. Your orders are dedicated to helping the flawed, the fallible, the helpless. Would you find any who might fit that description here?

"Believe me," Atraxus continues, "I know what it means to always feel unworthy or unwelcome. I am a Half-Orc. I know nothing about my parentage, but those who meet me often assume the worst. They only see the flaws. When I walk among Humans, they see a monster in their midst. When I encounter Orcs, they see a weakling. It is no easy life to live, but I do it because I need to prove to myself that I am better than what they assume from my appearance, and I do that through deeds. I pledge my strength and service to good causes, and look for ways to make sure my actions help more than they harm.

"Could you find such deeds within this paradise?" Atraxus asks the young man.

"Oh.  You can only learn to be a better paladin where it's easy, where you choose yourself over helping others, and where you turn your back on your friends, those who care for you, and those of your order in trouble.

"Interesting."  The gnomish priest tapped his lips in thought, then continued.

"Did you ever consider this place wasn't where you would learn, but where you would be tested?  About putting yourself, an almost perfect place, beautiful magical waters...  or putting the care and protections ahead of gratification for yourself?

"I study wherever I go, to learn more, and better myself.  The more magical energies I can examine, learn from, master, the more skill I accumulate.

"Like Atraxus said - How can a person become a better protector by sitting on his arse and acting like a drunk on payday?  That was the expression, was it not?  From the docks in the last city?"

Alison shouted again, "I SAID ON YOUR FEET SOLDIER!" Pointing to the others in her group, "I need your help soldier. These people can't get back without you. You have to endure. Making mistakes is what life is all about. YOU will get on your feet and lead us out of here!"

As they try to bring Derne around, Mae looks back and forth, herself only barely suppressing the messages that seem to emanate from the lake beyond the gazebo.

Her face changes seeing Derne's brief, but fast fading reaction to Alison.

"That got through," she says mostly to herself.  Then she pauses.

"But we're not soldiers," she says, louder.  "Orders mean nothing.  Need is everything.  Atraxus, Abadon, you are right, but where he is... I know... you cannot reason him out of.  He must feel it."

The Dragon had been watching the whole encounter.

"Of course it is better to feel it, and this is what he is trying to do."

Mae turns towards the Dragon.

"But we are not Dragons, and we are not monks, who can find enlightenment sitting in a holy gazebo gazing on holy waters for a year.  For a paladin, wasting time in such a way only makes things worse, not better.  Someone else might find something this way, but not Derne. Not a paladin.  In the end, the knowledge that he sat here while others needed him will only drive him deeper."

"How is it you have not been affected as he was, then?" the Dragon asks Mae.  "You are both Paladins, are you not?"

"I have the advantage of seeing what it's done to him," Mae replies.  "Seeing ourselves is always harder for us."

"I need to help someone," Derne says weakly.  He looks at the lake as if he is asking permission and adds:  "Can I?"

"Yes." Alison responded. "We in fact are rather desperate for a bit of your help at this exact moment."

Derne straightens himself, turns, looks at Alison.

"What is wrong?" he asks.

Mae looks puzzled.  She wasn't aware of anything specific they needed Derne to do, except be found.  But if a Paladin is needed, well, she's one too.

"We're ready," Mae tells Alison.

Alison looked back and forth between the two Paladins, and kept her Commander's voice going. "We need the two of you to lead us out of this place before it overcomes us with it's...joy."

"Wrong?  More need of paladin skills in defending others, and standing against evils," Abadon clarified, subject to some hint from Alison where she was thinking to offer/suggest in direction.

"The fey of Dzellion Break have provided warning that the badlands are under changing magic, which puts all travellers at special risk.  Yet, more particularly, there is a quest undertaken by the Baron of Sanzi, trying to establish an overland pass through the northwest, to aid all travellers, especially those impecunious, and unable to afford the ship travel, in being able to travel to the southlands for new opportunity.  It goes without saying that those with little or no coin are most vulnerable, and in greatest need for assistance.

"The quest by itself would be dangerous in best of times, with the creatures and monsters about in the high mountains, but the helpful fey warning suggests much greater risk facing the caravan.  We knew of the expedition intending to depart shortly after we came here to find you... but we have heard nothing of what has happened to them.

"We need your aid in returning to Thaller, and would request your further aid in tracking down and defending the expedition across the mountains.  It is a great and daunting task, and to my knowledge, they had none to aid them with a paladin's aura and guidance."

---

OOC: DM, if any of that is wrong, that's on player, not much smarter Abadon)He isn't trying to lie.

"But most important of all," Atraxus adds, "we need your aid in keeping the location and nature of this place secret. This land belongs to those of pure Good, such as the dragons who dwell here." Atraxus extends his hand to Derne, hoping the paladin will accept it.

"Come, and let us be off."

Mae gives a surprised look.  She hasn't heard of that at Deluzion Break before!  But it has the ring of truth... she has heard of strange things from that area, many people have.  Having only recently come under the sway of the land's powerful emanations of Pure Good, she is quicker to snap out of it.

"In a land of absolute good a paladin has no purpose," she realizes, "so we shouldn't be here.  We shouldn't even come here, ever.  We are worse than useless here."

"Everything is perfect here," Derne says quietly.

"Not for us.  We are needed.  We must go to Deluzion Break.  There is trouble.  It's important."

Mae looks at the Gnome, and then at the Derne, and grabs Derne's hand and puts it in Atraxus.  She takes the other.

"Let's go, quickly, and do not think too much about it."

Derne does not resist.

Alison turned and marched double time back the way they had come. She was relieved that they seemed to have accomplished getting the Paladin out of danger. She moved as quickly as she could and focused on her mantra.

Atraxus' hand closes firmly on Derne's the moment Mae places it within his reach. He follows Alison, doing his best to match her pace with the paladins in tow. He uses every ounce of his willpower to keep his focus on moving forward without looking back.

Abaddon kept up his water magics, creating moving curtains of opaque ice to help block sight of the bewitching waters.

"Derne, what can you tell me of Veritas?  We encountered much misunderstandings between the larger mercenarial companies versus the paladin orders - how has that been addressed, or come to fruit, as it were?"  He continued a series of factual questions - might as well learn as they walked - but the conversation seemed intended more to keep assessing the paladin's mental focus, establishing a baseline for monitoring and studying the paladin, even as they kept his focus on something besides his own failures.