Subject: Test of compassion

"I agree. In the end, he did not hurt us, so we have no reason to seek punishment beyond the will of The Stallion. Tell The Stallion that the harm L'ton has done is to himself and his herd, so he and the herd should decide upon the consequences."
From: Karl

Subject: Turn

Not at all. I'm interested to see how this all plays out.
From: Porter

Subject: Turn

Agreed. This is good stuff.
From: Kevin

Subject: Turn

OOC: Death to all Centaur!!!! Attack!!!!!

Just kidding.
From: Mark

Subject: Turn

I will try and get a turn out during the day. I am busy all night so if it is not done by 5PM it ain't gonna happen.
From: Mark

Subject: The verdict

Flint listens to the party's ideas intently. He then turns to the Stallion to give his reply "Stallion of the Herd, I am in a quandary. Normally I know what my decision would be. Under normal circumstances I would say that L'ton belongs to me for a year and a day, as is custom amongst the Herd in situations like this, correct?" The Stallion nods agreement. "However, as you know, the guardians of the Tree may not leave the valley. Only the druids may come and go. So L'ton may not come with me to fulfill his obligation to me even though I was the one he wronged." A light seems to go on in Flint's face as he realizes something.

"However" Flint continues "I was not the only one wronged. You, Stallion, were also wronged. Therefore I offer the debt owed to me to you. L'ton will be yours for a year and a day. He will be your mule." This last word is spoken in such as way as to leave no doubt in the others as to the position L'ton will take in the herd. "This is my sentence." When Flint is done the Stallion bows deeply to him "MountainFather Flint, you have passed the last test. The valley and the Herd are yours to command. How may we serve the druids?"

"Stallion, the Herd is still yours as is the guardianship of the Tree. That remains unchanged. I am here, with these others" Flint motions to the party "to retrieve something. We will leave now and should be back by dinner. If you would have some food ready for us when we get back, it would be appreciated." The Stallion bows and then signals the other centaurs to go about their duties. "Do you want an escort, MountainFather?" the Stallion asks. "No, we will be fine. Thank you." Flint gives a deep bow to the Stallion and the centaur moves away, yelling orders to the herd.

"OK, that was interesting." Flint gives the others a wry grin. "You folks ready to go get the gem?" The party members all say that they are ready. "Ok let's go."

OODM: I will try and write some more this afternoon.
From: Karl

Subject: The verdict

I like that.
From: Mark

Subject: The Tree

The party moves quickly over the gentle ground surrounding the centaur camp. The woods surround the camp have the look of a well kept forest. There are large swaths of clear sections though. Flint explains "Even the WorldTree loses branches now and then. When that happens dozens or hundreds of trees may be knocked over. Also the herd keeps the trees cut up to a height so that they can fun under the canopy with out hitting branches. It is one of the concessions we druids agreed to when the centaurs agreed to be the guardians of the Tree. It does make for a nice walk."

The looming presence of the Tree is always in the foreground, growing larger and larger. Up close the tree's true size becomes apparent. Up close the tree looks to be over 500 feet high. The drip ring is almost as big. Even with such a massive amount of foliage above it, the ground is covered in a soft carpet of grass. Flint stops for a second and takes of his boots and motions for the others to do so as well "This is sacred ground for our order. Please respect this." The party quickly takes off their footwear, Salix being the first one done.

Beneath their feet the soft cool texture of the grass eases what tension remains in the party. They follow Flint up to the trunk of the WorldTree. The trunk is a good 30 feet in diameter. There is something about the tree. It seems to exude health and strength. Salix has never seen anything like it. Of course neither has any one else in the party. Kal, who has spent much of his life in the woods of the elves on the southern continent, stands in awe of the Tree. "Now you know why it is called the WorldTree. Now I must go retrieve your gem. Acer told me this before he..." Flint trails off before continuing "When the gem was given over to our care so many thousands of years ago it was decided that it would be kept in the heart of the Tree. That is where I must go."

He walks up to the Tree, places his hands on the bark and starts chanting. Salix recognizes a few of the words spoken in the secret language of the druids. Then Flint seems to melt into the Tree. His form merges with the Tree and fades from sight. The party waits. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. Mund is starting to get worried "Salix, what if something has happened to Flint? Can you help him?" Salix shrugs "This is almost as far beyond me as it is you. I say wait. If Flint has become one with the Tree, his sense of time may be altered. Trees don't see the passing of time the same way we do. Let's sit down and wait."

The party spreads out a bit and Salix takes the time to soak in the power of the Tree. The sheer power in the tree humbles the druid. A while later, they are not sure how long but the sun is lower in the western sky, Flint's form starts detaching itself from the trunk. It takes several seconds and while he is still attached he looks as if he is made of wood, not flesh and blood. Eventually he steps away from the tree and almost falls. Salix is at his side in a second. "Thanks. That was... Different." He looks around, his eyes a bit unfocused. "How long?" he asks. "Several hours at least" Salix replies. "That long? It only seemed like seconds. We barely had time to say hello and discuss the weather."

As Salix leads Flint away from the tree and back towards the centaur camp Harp works his way close "I don't mean to be a pain, but Sir, did you get it?" "Get what?" is the distracted reply. "Oh, you mean this?" as he holds up a large gem. He hands it to Harp "This is what you came for, right?"

OODM: I will write more later. If any one wants to comment they may.
From: Mark

Subject: The Tree

I will do more on the gem tomorrow. I actually have a list of where each gem is hidden, the type of each gem and which school of magic it effects. However, that list is on my computer at home, not at work, so I have no idea which gem this is. :)
From: Kevin

Subject: The Tree

Wouldn't it be poetic justice if it negated necromancy? Basically, raising undead is impossible around it? Given Faldor's recent actitivities, it would seem appropriate.
From: Josh

Subject: The Tree

I haven't had anything to add this week or two, but just wanted to say nice writeups mark.