SHADOW of the DEMONWEB

After the events of Embrace of the Night, the death of two leading Lyons left the Faeland in Cormanthor Forest under slow but steady recovery. The lack of additional magics to heal the land placed pressure on Enia, the spirit of the Ancient Tree Dnylis, who heavily used her own so that life in forest remains healthy and hidden. The surviving Lyons assisted in any way they could. But it was not enough for Enia to maintain the strongest version of herself. Dead Lyons shifted the balance of their wilds, and as result Enia has grown weaker. Through the mere connection to her tree, Enia had a vision that her time will soon be over, as there are dark plots within plots threatening to strike now when she is vulnerable. Not wanting to leave her side, the remaining Lyons seek for heroes and adventurers to act in their behalf beyond the borders of the Lyons Forest. Those who dare to face danger that lurks in the nights.

Protagonist Slot: @ShadowKyss (played by Ticladesign)
Companion1 Slot: @Uragu (played by Badgerthej)
Companion2 Slot: Open Slot needs a player, You can sign in
Companion3 Slot: @Odilyn (played by @Ody)
Honorable Guest Slo1t: @Shimmer (played by Fyra)
Honorable Guest Slot2: @Vesz'yraen (played by BloodRiot)

A sunny day in Lyonland. Sun rays squeeze between spaces of the tall tree tops and fall upon the land, revealing beautiful colors of the enchanted forest. The mood of inhabitants seems to be positive for few weeks now, as the forest appears to have closer resemblance to what it was once before the dark times. But not everything is what it seems to be. Blue eyes watch from the shadows with concern. She has been here longer than most, and when things are not quiet right, she would know. The very first Eilistraeen that set foot on Lyonland, @ShadowKyss,  pays her visit when she can. Pixies adore her presence and performance with the art of shadow illusion, in return gifting her with honey and mushrooms. Those may be small rewards but @ShadowKyss accepts them with full heart, and with knowing how good use they can be back at Pippa's kitchen. When her visit was coming to the end, @ShadowKyss was on her way out of the Forest, passing by the Dnylis Tree. She sees Enia, its spirit, laying her hand on the tree with closed eyes. Nothing that was not seen many times before, Enia is known caretaker not just of the tree, but all the life in the forest. But this time she seems to have some struggles. @ShadowKyss could not unnotice that Enia is having difficulties to concentrate, even to keep her balance, as the ancient tree almost resisting her approach.

@ShadowKyss Turn:
1. [Help Enia not fall] Are you alright?
2. [Trash talk] That's embracing.
3. [Wait to see what happens]
4. [Free RP]

Enia was caught of guard. Not only that it is very difficult to sneak upon Enia by anyone, but that she was not approached stealthy by @ShadowKyss at all, and Enia still failed to notice her until the contact was made, was indeed disturbing to witness. Even if Enia and @ShadowKyss have seen each other countless times over the years, Enia needed a pause to recognize @ShadowKyss. After a short unpleasant moment, once Enia was certain it was @ShadowKyss, Enia would relax in a relief, though not enough to conceal her condition and concern: "Jennifer ... forgive my behavior ... my senses ... are clouded." With @ShadowKyss 's help, Enia's balance is restored, and she can now stand on her own. She nods her gratitude to @ShadowKyss before turning towards the ancient tree again: "I have ... difficulties to fully connect with the tree. For some time now its new knowledge is unknown to me. I have no way of knowing what is happening upon the land that its roots cover. To be more specific, a part of it that reaches beyond the borders of Lyonland has gone completely dark." As someone who has taken role in Lyons' events before, @ShadowKyss would know that such thing poses a serious matter to the security of the Lyons Forest. Knowing what lurks in proximity of Lyons Forest's borders is what allowed fae magic to conceal the presence of the whole land to be found.

@ShadowKyss Turn:
1. When did this start?
2. We have to tell others.
3. [Spellcraft 20DC] (Reveals additional information)
4. Everybody has an expiration date, and yours is coming soon.
5. [Free RP]

Enia turns away from the tree, now facing back towards the conversation, looking at @ShadowKyss: "It has taken less than a month. At first I thought I am simply getting tired ... the healing of the entire land becomes more difficult, exhausting ... With death of some us, the balance shifts and weight of responsibility falls on my shoulders. I thought it will pass over time. But it didn't, it has only gone worse." To @ShadowKyss  's idea about calling others to aid, Enia would shake her head in disagreement. "It has been long time since this land started to enjoy again, to be alive. To your contributions as well. It is more than just protecting the beliefs I share with Synph. Through the roots of this tree, my physical form, I am connected with the land, and its knowledge becomes mine, but so are its emotions. If those who live here shun away from Synph's dogma, their emotional state will reflect upon the tree ... upon me ... as it has during battles and wars before. This would only worsen the symptoms and further expose vulnerability to this land." Enia steps closer towards @ShadowKyss "Those very close to me are already aware but they wish not to leave my side. No ... I wish not to spread panic. This must remain between us ... for now. But that also means that I will require your help. I have a task for you, and I know no better person who would conceal this mission from eyes and ears of the others, than the one who dances in the shadows." As Enia was finishing her sentence, her eyes shift her glance from the little shadowpuppet towards @ShadowKyss 's porcelain mask. The words and the look were reflecting trust for such a delicate matter, towards the savior of Greenleaf Tribe - @ShadowKyss.

@ShadowKyss Turn:
1. I will help. What is my mission?
2. Let's talk about the reward first.
3. [Free RP]

Receiving the reply she wished to hear, Enia nods to @ShadowKyss with a slight smile, before she holds a short briefing on the mission: "For my senses to be clear and to comprehend the vision of events where Dnylis' roots reach, you must travel to the point where my access is clouded, and remove the darkness that shrouds it. With it gone, the images I have from its events will be clear to me, and the mystery will be revealed." Enia marks the location on @ShadowKyss 's map. "But please be careful. Whatever set this in motion might still be lurking on the borders of the Lyons Forest."

@ShadowKyss Turn:
1. I will be on my way.
2. [Free RP]

It was not long before @ShadowKyss could notice that she has a bonus shadow, one not of her own creation. It would mimic her on the way out of Lyons Forest, but this is a shadow well known to her, one that she personally helped being shaped into. A small silent giggle would echo in the air, almost melodic.

Once busted, the melodic shadow freezes in the spot as if it is a statue, carefully listening the words sang by @ShadowKyss. As the words keep going, the melodic shadow splits into two, one that takes dancing steps to the left, and the other steps into revealing light of the moon, to make its presence fully known.


It was only fair that when saluted with a song, Odilyn would salute with a song back. It took him a moment to figure out the words, but he crafted them fast, as he usually does. Once his shadow completely fades into darkness, Odilyn approaches to @ShadowKyss and looks at her porcelain mask. "Hello friend."

"Thank you ShadowPupeteer. We will take a sneak peek together and see if we can restore Enia's senses, so that our home can be safe again." Odilyn takes @ShadowKyss 's side and adds his optimistic smile to whatever may await for them ahead in this quest. "Worry not, I know everything you taught me. It will be just another shadow of yours, following, and supporting mutual goals."

The couple of dark elves, @ShadowKyss and @Odilyn join together and move towards the south of the Lyons Forest, following directions Enia provided. They travel in shadows, undetected by the hostile creatures that lurk in the night of the Cormanthor. This area is well known to them, giving them advantage of covering the land on foot in a very short time. As they were getting closer to their destination, something about the flora was exactly like @ShadowKyss predicted. It was unnatural.

@ShadowKyss Turn
1. We are getting closer, proceed with caution.
2. [Survival 20DC] (Stop to learn more about area and examine its flora)
3. [Ask for a Companion Survival 20DC] (Stop to learn more about area and examine its flora)
a) @Odilyn
b) @Vesz'yraen (You did not unlock this companion yet)
c) @Shimmer (You did not unlock this companion yet)
d) @Uragu(You did not unlock this companion yet)
4. [Free RP]

"Certainly" @Odilyn steps out of the shadows into the light cast by @ShadowKyss ' arcane. Even if as a dark elf Odilyn does not have problems seeing in darkness, the moonlight definitely enchants the vision further, revealing colors that pitch dark areas are not capable for. He examines the plants within the arcane light's range, as he was requested to do so.

Rolls
Survival d20

Log:

The flora in the area looks like nothing that was not seen before. Even if some plants may not be identifiable, they were certainly not something that would alert @Odilyn in any way.

Once finished scanning the plants and flowers @Odilyn returns to @ShadowKyss: "Nothing to worry about friend, Cormanthor is a huge forest and many things grow here. Impossible to know all of them for certain. These plants look like nothing we havent seen before." Once he shares his knowing, @Odilyn takes a closer look at the arcane light.

The couple were unable to recognize the difference in flora changes, and could simply proceed further. They were not far from the position that Enia marked on their map. Once @ShadowKyss and @Odilyn arrived there, they could see the root of Dnylis tree briefly coming out of the earth, and is being warped around with some sort of alien plant, that pushed the Dnylis root out of the earth. It was giving a parasitic impression, as if it was feeding on the Dnylis. How it appears, however, could be very different than what it actually is. A closer inspection would be required to learn more.

@ShadowKyss Turn
1. [Attack the alien wrap] Ah this must be it, let's just cut it off.
2. [Lore 17+DC] (Attempt to identify the strange alien tissue)
3. [Ask @Odilyn for Lore 17+DC] (Attempt to identify the strange alien tissue)
4. [Free RP]

Log:

@ShadowKyss 's inspection was flawless. She knows exactly what kind of ... creature this is. What is to do about it now? How could this thing get here and why?