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[Arcalian]

Tree led them to the western edge of the frozen swamp. There, the tallest, grandest Oak that Adrian had ever seen rose magestically from the place where the swamp met the more normal grasslands of the Amnish countryside. Even in winter, rich autumn-colored leaves clung to it's branches, and would not fall until new growths sprouted in spring, Tree told them. Adrian would only see one grander tree than this in his mortal years.

Beside the Oak was a rock formation surrounding a pool of water that did not freeze despite the cold. Tree waved the party back and went on alone, toward the pool.

There was a shimmering, and then a Dryad appeared out of the air at the edge of the pool. Her hair was gold and silver, her skin alabaster with the season, her eyes shifting patterns of gold and green. She opened her moutht speak, but upon seeing Tree she closed it again and locked eyes with the druid. The tingling was in the air was so strong, that even Adrian (whose Bhaalspawn abilites most emphatically did not include psionics) knew that telepathy was occuring.

After a long pause, Tree wordlessly held up her left hand and opened it in a slow, ritualistic fashion reminiscient of an opening flower. On her palm rested the acorns of her mother, Cania, and the other two Dryads that had been imprisoned by Irenicus.

The Dryad Queen (or so Adrian suypposed her to be) took them and cupped them with her hands....

----

In Athkatla, there had been no obstruction of the entrance to Irenicus' Lair in Waukeen's Promenade, and the Cowled Wizards had wasted no time going down into it to suss out Irenicus' secrets, to add to their own lore.

After several false starts in which they lost two members to spell traps and the damaged and closed portals, they had found their way down to the lowest level. They had found the three Dryads less than an hour ago, and had begun to question them. Vivisection had eventually been planned. But that idea never went beyond the planning stages; before the Cowled Wizards astonished eyes, the three Dryads vanished in golden flashes.

The leader of the Cowled Wizards expidition, a thin, balding man named Tolgerias, sighed. "Well, that's that. Find whtever else the Bhaalspawn left for us; then we shall have to refosuc our efforts on the Planar Sphere."

-----

A golden glow radiated out from between the Dryad Queen's cupped hands, and it was matched by three golden flashes around her. Cania and the other two Dryads materialized.

Tree flung herself onto her mother and embraced her tightly. They spoke a few soft words to eachother. Then Cania nodded once to Adrian. The three Dryads stepped close to their Queen, and shimmered into nothingness.

Tree sighed and went to rejoin the party.

-------

It was not hard to find the Rakshassa hiding place; the further south they went, the more fiercely Viconia's flail glowed and trembled.

In the midst of the brush, a narrow but tall tower stood in a clearing of perhaps five feet. Adrian's party made ready for battle, and went inside.

A seemingly human woman greed them. "Hallo theyr!" She called, a strange accent slurring her words. "Ken eye interset yew in sum potiens?"

"Adrian......" Jan began, but there was no need for the illusionist to speak; Viconia's flail was nearly vibrating itself out of her hand.

The woman's eyes locked on it. "Thuh flaeil....."

Adrian held up both hands. "We can fight, Rakshassa, if that is your wish. Or......"

The woman shifted to Rakshassa form; a disturbing lionlike humanoid with backwards hands at the end of it's wrists. "Or?" It growled.

"Or you can help us solve a....mutual problem. Hear me..."

The Rakshassa listened. And as Adrian went on, it began to nod and growl it's approval....

[Laufey]

There was a shimmering, and then a Dryad appeared out of the air at the edge of the pool. Her hair was gold and silver, her skin alabaster with the season, her eyes shifting patterns of gold and green. She opened her moutht speak, but upon seeing Tree she closed it again and locked eyes with the druid. The tingling was in the air was so strong, that even Adrian (whose Bhaalspawn abilites most emphatically did not include psionics) knew that telepathy was occuring.

Beautiful!

After several false starts in which they lost two members to spell traps and the damaged and closed portals, they had found their way down to the lowest level. They had found the three Dryads less than an hour ago, and had begun to question them. Vivisection had eventually been planned. But that idea never went beyond the planning stages; before the Cowled Wizards astonished eyes, the three Dryads vanished in golden flashes.

The leader of the Cowled Wizards expidition, a thin, balding man named Tolgerias, sighed. "Well, that's that. Find whtever else the Bhaalspawn left for us; then we shall have to refosuc our efforts on the Planar Sphere."

Good news for the Dryads...bad news for Valygar.

-----

A golden glow radiated out from between the Dryad Queen's cupped hands, and it was matched by three golden flashes around her. Cania and the other two Dryads materialized.

Tree flung herself onto her mother and embraced her tightly. They spoke a few soft words to eachother. Then Cania nodded once to Adrian. The three Dryads stepped close to their Queen, and shimmered into nothingness.

Awwwww...

A seemingly human woman greed them. "Hallo theyr!" She called, a strange accent slurring her words. "Ken eye interset yew in sum potiens?"

I presume her odd way of speaking is due to her fangs?

The woman shifted to Rakshassa form; a disturbing lionlike humanoid with backwards hands at the end of it's wrists. "Or?" It growled.

"Or you can help us solve a....mutual problem. Hear me..."

The Rakshassa listened. And as Adrian went on, it began to nod and growl it's approval....

Interesting! So they will join forces against the genies, then?

[Arcalian]

I like the way you occasionally give 'forward-looking' details like this (like Adrian's first scar, from Tamoko). Add to the generally epic / historical feel.

*bows*

Is this narrative strength of conviction due to the quasi-clairvoyance that Mary Sueism protaganists are prone to?

...what

!!!!! Oh, Adrian, you are quite the businessman....

Adrian: *smiles* I have my moments.

[Arcalian]

Interesting! So they will join forces against the genies, then?

Yesssss, my precious!

[Weyoun]

Tree led them to the western edge of the frozen swamp. There, the tallest, grandest Oak that Adrian had ever seen rose magestically from the place where the swamp met the more normal grasslands of the Amnish countryside. Even in winter, rich autumn-colored leaves clung to it's branches, and would not fall until new growths sprouted in spring, Tree told them. Adrian would only see one grander tree than this in his mortal years.

Beside the Oak was a rock formation surrounding a pool of water that did not freeze despite the cold. Tree waved the party back and went on alone, toward the pool.

There was a shimmering, and then a Dryad appeared out of the air at the edge of the pool. Her hair was gold and silver, her skin alabaster with the season, her eyes shifting patterns of gold and green. She opened her moutht speak, but upon seeing Tree she closed it again and locked eyes with the druid. The tingling was in the air was so strong, that even Adrian (whose Bhaalspawn abilites most emphatically did not include psionics) knew that telepathy was occuring.

Wow, lovely!

After several false starts in which they lost two members to spell traps and the damaged and closed portals, they had found their way down to the lowest level. They had found the three Dryads less than an hour ago, and had begun to question them. Vivisection had eventually been planned. But that idea never went beyond the planning stages; before the Cowled Wizards astonished eyes, the three Dryads vanished in golden flashes.

The leader of the Cowled Wizards expidition, a thin, balding man named Tolgerias, sighed. "Well, that's that. Find whtever else the Bhaalspawn left for us; then we shall have to refosuc our efforts on the Planar Sphere."

Tolgerias, ey? What a disgusting little bastard. Good on rescuing the dryads!

The woman's eyes locked on it. "Thuh flaeil....."

Adrian held up both hands. "We can fight, Rakshassa, if that is your wish. Or......"

The woman shifted to Rakshassa form; a disturbing lionlike humanoid with backwards hands at the end of it's wrists. "Or?" It growled.

"Or you can help us solve a....mutual problem. Hear me..."

The Rakshassa listened. And as Adrian went on, it began to nod and growl it's approval....

Interesting twist this will no doubt be!

Great stuff,
---Weyoun