Vulcan Mind Melding Sunpride Trees

Demartel

The Path of

the Teacher.
Smoothed by the countless pilgrims who have traveled this path before, the road makes for a pleasant walk along the
lower spiral path that twists along Avechna's Peak. The air is warm and inviting, and birds from the Serenwilde and
Ackleberry Forest occasionally fly overhead. The view of the mountain range of which this peak is a part,
collectively known as Avechna's Teeth, is beautiful and humbling in its vastness. Dazzling in its aureate brillance,
a shimmering reflection of a strange jungle chokes the air with humidity. A milestone juts up from the ground here.
A shelter in its own right, an elder sunpride tree claims the space as its roots dig deeper through the ground. A
vicious, spectral white crow flies here with wings spread. Smoke curling from her nostrils, a pure black nightmare
paws impatiently at the jet black clouds roiling beneath her hooves. Smoke curling from her nostrils, a dark grey
nightmare paws impatiently at the grey clouds roiling beneath her hooves. Colourful and exotic to behold, a jewel-
toned paradise parrot preens diaphanous wings of cloud gossamer here, sweeping brushstrokes of rainbow colours
dancing about her form. Surrounded by crackling lightning, a rose quartz thunderbird spreads her leathery wings
here, golden eyes glowing with a noble intellect. Kai'iel, the snow phoenix is here watching the world with a
dispassionate stare. Aeromage Luce Shevat is here. He wields a delicate crystal staff in his left hand. Zephyr
Anaklusmos is here. She wields a sleek beam generator in her left hand. Daraius Shevat stands nearby, his form
limned in a halo of serene white light. Crek is here, nodding his head. He wields a glowing powerstone in his left
hand and a mystic cudgel in his right. Aeromage Ino is here. Versalean frowns deeply, lines creasing his forehead.
He wields a putrid thornvine whip in his left hand and a powerplex jewel in his right. Provost Zyphora Windwhisper,
the Sun-in-Glory is here, surrounded by a flurry of white feathers caught in a perfumed breeze. She wields a
delicate crystal staff in her right hand. Rossignol Tremula, la Reine du Crepuscule is here, fluid-like motes of
effervescent light floating about her form. She wields a violin of serrated bones and tendons in her left hand.
You see exits leading southeast, west, and down.

Sondayga enters from the southeast, trailing a silver entourage of somber, spectral ancestors.

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Oh-ho. Hello Versalean."

You say, "What would you like done?"

Luce jerks slightly as the air fills with sparkling motes of bright light.
You sense Ilian pulling on the strands of aether surrounding Luce.

Zephyr Anaklusmos says to you, "Miakoda and Abeytu have informed us that it may be possible to contact the druids of Jojobo through the sunpride tree."

Aeromage Ino says to you, "They said you have to talk to the people on the other side of the tree."

Zephyr Anaklusmos says to you, "And that a druid is best suited for this task."

Aeromage Luce Shevat says, "Touch the tree, for now. I believe that is what Druid Ysav'rai suggested was a first step."

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Versalean and I are... touching the soul of this sunpride. Another druid may strengthen the connection."

Aeromage Ino says, "Maybe if you touched it or something they could sense?"

Ino scratches her head in confusion.

With a wistful look on his face, Luce touches an elder sunpride tree.

Anaklusmos hefts a sleek generator beam over her shoulder.

Pursing her lips tightly in affected worry, Tremula closes her mouth once more in thought and continues to let the soft notes spill from her violin, the bone drawing across the silken strings in steady rhythm.

Aeromage Luce Shevat asks Tremula, "Maybe something more tribal..?"

Demartel steps towards the Sunpride and places his hands upon the trunk.
You reach out and touch an elder sunpride tree.

As you press your hands upon the bark of the sunpride tree, you reach out with your druidic magic to find its essential core. As if you were entering the wound itself, you follow the lines of its internal fibres, the flesh of the sapwood, going deeper and deeper in search of the soul of the tree.

Tremula nods her head at Luce.

Demartel closes his eyes as he feels his connection to the tree deepen, his body swaying slightly in a meditative state.

Prying further, you flex your magic - stretching it further and further until you find its heart. And there, in the distance is a firm presence: hardy though weakened. Nearby, you feel the presence of the two wyrden Druids - Versalean and Crek - though they merely await.

Sondayga creates a steady rhythm by tapping the body of his mandolin.

In a sweeping motion that brings bone heavy over silk, Tremula dissipates the peaceful tune in favour of a lively dancing number, reminiscent of the night songs of the Aslaran of the Grey Moors, tapping her foot in time with Sondayga's steady tapping.

Versalean recoils slightly, then digs his roots into the floor with resolution, holding his ground.

Ilian slowly deepens to a verdant, leafy jungle green - swaying in her suspending position as she slowly oscillates around the crowd of musicians and druids near the base of the sunpride trunk.

Demartel whispers in a distant voice, "There is a presence... it is weak..."

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Now... perhaps we can do something with this. I am sure the Dawnburst can sense something is happening even from this far away."

You remain firmly connected in this link, with Wyrden ones by your side. The tree waits for your next action.

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Do we have any healers about? Perhaps we can serve as a bridge to this tree."

With a hopeful smile, Calor raises his hand high in the air.

Aeromage Ino says, "T' heal it, you mean? If it takes strength from you?"

Ino tilts her head curiously.

The citrine of her form marbling with opal pulses, Counsellor Ilian Pavok says, "I am also a healer."

Seihill Sondayga Zayah, Oayllee dey Keyll says to Ceros, "See if you can call on a dryad."

Demartel reaches out with his mind trying to contact the presence within the tree.

With a wistful look on his face, Ceros touches an elder sunpride tree.

Seihill Sondayga Zayah, Oayllee dey Keyll says, "Perhaps we can use it as a host, as we sometimes do with spirits."

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says to Calor, "Try. Reach out to us. You may feel another presence."

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says to Calor, "Touch us if you need. Versalean and I will not bite."

A dryad tree is dragged screaming out of the shadows, which bind around it. As the shadows forcibly spin it around in a circle, its skin hardens into black tree bark and its outstretched arms sprout diseased leaves.

Ilian Pavok continues in her oscillation, melding calmly back to a emerald core. Auras begin to pulse, and flare about her jeweled form as she watches Calor with a detached expression.

With a wistful look on his face, Ceros touches a dryad tree.

With a wistful look on his face, Sondayga touches an elder sunpride tree.

With a practiced air, Zyphora flicks her wrist and the vicinity resounds with the symphony of an orchestra. The music swells to crescendo before fading, the haunting notes of a violin lingering in its wake.

You press further, your mind reaching out - taking steps toward the presence and leaving the Wyrden ones by the wayside. Then the connection is made - like the curling of vine with vine; like a mirror you see something in the distance: a full-maned aslaran man who suddenly regards you with surprise.

Calor closes his eyes and concentrates on the image of the sunpride tree. He places a hand on Crek and Versalean

Demartel moves towards the man slowly, extending his hands in a peaceful manner, "Who are you? How can we help?". His voice distant and quiet to the onlookers.

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says to Calor, "Well done."

With sudden viciousness they surge towards the clouds that envelop the city of Hallifax, making a huge rent in the barrier. Some clouds attempt to replace them, but a hole in the barrier can now be seen, allowing light to spill through into the city.

The elder tree shudders from root to crown as it attempts to absorb the brunt of the solar flare, and several leaves curl into nothingness as they wilt away.

"By Zvoltz!" Tremula profanes.

Sikris raises her hands and clouds form and darken overhead, releasing a heavy rain that drenches the area.

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Sikris, Ceros, assist Calor if you can."

Sikris bows her head and closes her eyes, radiating a brilliant healing aura.

Versalean concentrates on the energies within the tree, attempting to ascertain how it is being affected by the flare.

The figure of the man leans closer to the mirror, the soul of the tree, and you notice the man is considerably younger. His visage takes shape and you realise that it is Sidwesh, one of the Dawnburst Druids. "I am Sidwesh... how did you? What is happening? Is something wrong?" he questions.

Rossignol Tremula, la Reine du Crepuscule asks Crek, "Cousin, may I assist you?"

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says to Tremula, "Perhaps you can perform with the Spiritsinger."

Ceros Ysav'rai, of Insatiable Night says, "Perhaps the shadows will remove the glaring heat of the sun."
Dipping his hand into a shadow cauldron, Ceros pulls out a long shadow and releases it into the air. The room darkens with the churning darkness.

Calor continues to keep his eyes closed and concentrates on the tree.

Where the bark in the elder sunpride has been sundered, sweetly scented sap oozes out slowly, like weeping blood.

Demartel nods slowly to the man whispering, "Sidwesh, the Sunpride tree is weakening. Father Sun is attacking us and the tree. We have combined our efforts to... reach you."

"The tree is weakened? Bloody shite. We will get there as soon as we can. Cut the link!" he cries out, his voice shuddering in your head.

Nodding once at Crek and then at Sondayga, Tremula raises her violin once more and draws the bone bow across the strings, quickly bringing the lost dancing tune to life once more and filling the air with flickering lavender light.

Demartel lurches back from the tree, grasping his head as he drops to a knee. "So loud... They... are coming to help..."

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow says, "Good, good."

A few stray leaves tumble from the elder sunpride, their paw-print shapes distorted through wilting.

You draw back from the soul of the tree, the veritable mirror to Sidwesh, and align yourself back to the Wyrden Ones within this inner landscape of the sunpride.

Calor begins to chant a soft humming, his hands still on Crek and Versalean. The chanting pulses out in energy towards the tree

Suddenly Crek pauses, something in his eyes briefly seeming bloodthirsty and violent.
Crek nods his head.


Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow asks you, "They come?"

You remember the request of Sidwesh to break the link.

Zephyr Anaklusmos says, "The air barrier around Hallifax has broken, and the Sun is gaining power as the day progresses."

Aeromage Luce Shevat says, "Be prepared to assist in any manner needed. We do not have much time."

Demartel Shevat regains his composure still linked to the tree, but not as deeply as he nods to the distant voice of Crek. "Sidwesh says they come"
Demartel whispers, "Break the link..."

Calor suddenly opens his eyes, breaking his concentration on the tree. His hands drop to his sides once more.

Zephyr Anaklusmos says, "They are coming, that is good."

Ino blinks.

Demartel strives to pull his mind from the tree and find his own memories and sense of self.

Crek allows his arms to fall to his sides before slowly backing away from the damaged sunpride tree.

Luce chews on his lip, deep in thought.

Druid Crek Ysav'rai, Eye of Crow exclaims to Tremula, "Hello, cousin!"

As you withdraw, you feel your magic sliding out of the wound within the bark and find yourself with your own peace of mind.

Versalean's roots slip out of the ground, and he steps back from the tree also.

You blink.

A shimmer of golden energy ripples up the trunk of the sunpride tree, forming an ovular portal that glows from deep within the bark.

You say, "That was... an odd experience."

Crek's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Versalean chuckles long and heartily at you.

A grim expression on her face, Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion forms an imposing silhouette as she steps through the trunk of the sunpride, glancing about with a predatory gaze before moving to the side to allow Sidwesh to pass as well.

Luce bows respectfully to Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion.

Anaklusmos curtseys gracefully before Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion.

Crek doffs an emerald crown of laurels cordially.

With a flourish of his arm, Sondayga bows deeply.

Crek doffs an emerald crown of laurels to Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion.

Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion grunts noncommitally.

Zephyr Anaklusmos says, "Greetings, druids."

Calor bows respectfully to Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion.

Zephyr Anaklusmos says, "We are in dire need of assistance."

Gruffly, Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion says, "I would bid you good morning, but it's not."

Tremula inclines her head politely to Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion.

Anaklusmos raises her eyes and glances worriedly at the rising Sun.

Ilian inclines her head delicately, the energy of the lightning around her crown stirring with a low hum.

With a slow nod to Turiki, Guardian of the Aphelion, Calor shows his understanding.

Demartel

After this was a lot of discussion on who should do what. I can post all the discussion if you like for that too.

Shaddus

The figure of the man leans closer to the mirror, the soul of the tree, and you notice the man is considerably younger. His visage takes shape and you realise that it is Sidwesh, one of the Dawnburst Druids. "I am Sidwesh... how did you? What is happening? Is something wrong?" he questions.

Hrm. Something about this makes me suspicious.

Luce

It might just be referencing the fact that he's a hottieyounger than Mraxin or, presumably, most druids.

Crek

I want to be a Jojobro but mean old Mraxin keeps ignoring my Druid Exchange Program.

Luce

If you get Sidwesh Luce will orghop so fast Hallifax will fly off into the Sun.