Marion - Days 28 Through 32

-- Day 28 --

Rotanna and I are continuing on our way towards where the paladins are, provided that this rod is working correctly. It's been many days so far, and the weather has been pleasant thus far. I'm actually quite surprised and pleased that I found another cleric on such short notice.

We walk over a hill, when we see a large tree surrounded by some vines. The rod points directly towards the middle from where we stand - I sigh and question as to if the paladins would go to such a place without clerical aid. We decide that it would be easier to skirt these rather vicious looking vines, during which we discover that the paladins haven't gone into the vines, but are in the distance. I wonder what's been at the vines, however, as it looks like some of them have been burned.

It's over the next couple hills that we discover the paladins. They're a little worse for wear, and Rotanna and I tend to their wounds. It's been a while since I've healed such serious wounds, and I feel tired and drained from the efforts. I lay down to sleep, thankful that I can now have a peaceful sleep, with paladins keeping watch during the evening.

-- Day 29 --

The darkness is piercing, draining all color from the landscape. Dull grey tufts of grass are all that's present in this barren wasteland. I'm wearing my cleric regalia, with the Seal of Kaladis embroidered on the tabard. I see a figure crouched in the distance. I rush forward to help, but I'm walking through water. I can't get to them fast enough - they stand up, writhing in pain. Dark shadows encircle the figure, swirling in the mists.

I'm almost there when the shadows intensify, spinning faster around the man. He's wearing paladin regalia, I can't see the symbol from here. He starts screaming louder as the shadows speed up. I recognize the voice of the man screaming - it's Arcadius.

--

I wake up in a cold sweat, with the morning finally here. I look over to Arcadius in passing, and he seems to be a bit shaken. I wonder if he's actually healthy or not, these dreams have persisted for a while and have me worried.

The paladins have told me that they tried burning the vines around the gigantic tree, and they wanted to check on how it was progressing. When we arrived, the tree that was there the day before has simply vanished. The fire appears to have burned a straight path towards the tree, not straying from its path as a natural fire would. I approached where the tree used to sit, and dry, old knawed bones lay where roots used to be. All the paladins seem greatly distressed - they've said that because they've started the fire, they're responsible for letting the tree go.

In the back of my mind, I wonder if this is actually the case. They did set the fire - which was smouldering and rather lackluster when I saw it the day before. What if it was another fire source that set the tree free? I'm not sure if magic directed the fire - I tried to detect magic, but I sensed no magic auras.

I'm not certain where the tree has gone - a path leads to the woods, but then disappears. I'm wary of setting forth as of yet, since I still used more healing spells today.

-- Day 30 --

I'm shaken awake early in the morning by the group - they've heard screams in the night, over the hill. Only a set number of paladins decided to investigate the screams: this includes myself, Rotanna, and three of the paladins. We travel in the general direction of where we heard the screams, only to find a carcass on the road. The trail continues down the road, and I'm not certain of continuing without the rest of the party. We have three who decide to follow the trail: Rotanna, Fflam and Kennith, while Alcander and I return back to camp. I should be able to follow Fflam with the rod.

It's not until much later that we catch up to the three who went forward. It seems they have lost the trail, intrigued by an area of silence that they encountered along the way. It's here that Hrogar discovered the lair of a dragon. I didn't go far into the cave, being in awe of the massive entity before me. His metallic scales gleamed almost as brightly as the pile of accumulated treasure at his side, and his booming voice would shake the scales of my armor and set me on edge. I couldn't help but be impressed by the majesty of such a creature, and especially impressed by Hrogar's diplomatic approach in conversing with the dragon.

In the case that the tree has gone ahead and attacked a city, Alcander and Ryan have volunteered to be runners, alerting the towns of the possible danger that they face. The rest of us, in the meantime, will be going to another town that's fairly close to where the tree was before it was set loose.

-- Day 31 --

I wish that these nightmares would stop - each time that I look over at Arcadius, he's praying. I'm not sure what could be wrong with him, and he hasn't said much about it. I do hope that he's ok. Paladins are tough personalities, but they can be proud as well. I'm afraid that I'm timid as well.

We arrive at the town, which is definitely up in arms. The guards have told us about creatures that have been attacking them all evening. The paladins have started to rest while waiting for Alcander and Ryan to return, and I've volunteered my services to the town guard to heal those wounded in combat. They seem pleasantly surprised at my arrival and my services.

-- Day 32 --

The paladins have decided that they're going to pursue the tree. They've taken my flask of alchemist's fire to help their efforts. After thinking about it, I figure that my skills are of more use in the town instead of going with the paladins on this venture. I can't in good conscience leave this town, which would leave them without a cleric while still being attacked by creatures. I wish the paladins the speed of the gods and for their safe return.