Small Wonder

Design by Flamestryke

Unused Items used in the Quest:

Enjoying the relative safety of the city, you linger, exploring the area and trading with the locals. The battle weariness still upon you, you are in no hurry to leave here. You notice a condemned building and have to wonder why. It appears to be in relatively good condition. As you ponder it one in your group speaks up, "You know, its too bad we don't have some way to take those boards off. I bet we could fix that boat." Nodding heads and sighs ripple through your group. 

As you decide to brave a closer look at the Savant's tower your feet seem to shuffle off to the north skirting the perimeter of the shattered city wall. You begin to wander among the buildings instead and notice a home that had been damaged and patched hastily. Searching the area you come across a crowbar near some fallen masonry. The group looks to one another as huge grins spread across your faces.

Racing back to the condemned building you fervently pry the boards free and rush off to the marina. After a few hours work, interrupted only by a few Raiders, you stand back and breath a sigh of relief. You rush in to tell Anna the great news that her vessel is again seaworthy but your grins begin to fade as she looks at you grimly.

"Ya know. Normally I'd let ya run her out but some blamed fool has run off with her Anchor. If you come across it the boat is yours any time ya want ta use it."

Dejectedly your party shuffles back on to the street and stares about aimlessly for a time. The taste of fresh fish fried over the open fire only moments ago had set your mouths to watering and now all you are left with is an empty feeling in the pit of your stomach. Soon enough your curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to go look in the condemned house to see just what the problem was.

Gingerly you make your way through the house and can't help but wonder again at why it was condemned. Before you can finish the thought the floor beneath you gives way. With a resounding crash your party falls into the tunnels below. Without success you try to claw your way back into the house but it is plainly too steep. Staring off in to the darkness you mentally shrug and begin your journey.

Small pools of salty water linger here and there upon the ground. Occasionally you encounter crabs but dispatching them is of no great consequence.  You begin to hear the sound of surf and smell salty air. The pools of water become more frequent, and begin to deepen. In some of these pools hungry fish await you and you think finally you will get to enjoy that fish dinner. Or at least you could if there were a dry spot upon which to build your campfire.

A large cavern opens off to the north and you carefully investigate. A large unknown creature trundles about the small underground lake within this cavern and gives you reason to pause. It is as large as a small house, with four flippers, a long neck, and a dragon like head with  an impressive set of teeth. Too late you realize this creature has seen you and you begin the fight for your lives. After the grueling battle you notice a large shell nearby and you stare in amazement knowing this beast was only a hatchling. Suddenly you hear a thunderous roar from afar and wonder what horrors will lie in wait for you. The anguish in that roar... the fury... chills you to your very bones. Shuddering you stand silently exchanging fearful glances.

Eventually one of your group notices a small alcove just beyond where the creature had been hovering. Glad for anything to take your mind off the battle and that roar you splash your way over to investigate. You find some tiny leg armor, fit for the Faerie among you, a small magnet, a small mirror, and an unusual sphere which seems to pulse with energy.  You look to one another but no one can offer any explanation as to what to do with any of these three items. Feeling it might be wise to move on you stuff them in your pack and turn to leave, only to fall over the missing boat anchor.

You proceed the short distance out of the tunnels and find yourself in shallow waters, a waterfall nearby. Following the coastline you discover a huge rope descending from the top of the cliff. Climbing up you find yourself in a great forest. Not long after you encounter an unusual being who at first hollers at you to go away then calms down a bit and asks for help. Not really sure why, you agree to help him.

Your journeys continue. You return the anchor to Anna and can now sail the inland sea and visit the lands of Dominus by means other than continually afoot. Some time passes and as you prepare for your final journey to Ascension Peak with knowledge, chaos, and life in your grasp, you still wonder about the small items and unusual orb. One among you has now identified the orb as a Blessed object but cannot yet fathom its purpose.

After landslides and battling the Rapax army you wearily pause and wonder if your journeys will ever end, or if it was even worth beginning them. An unusual vibration emanates from your packs when you pass by a small pool of water set in the mountainside of this clearing where the Rapax Army thought to stop you.

Lovely green eyes in a delicate face stare into your own as the party all crowds around this tiny apparatus and peers within. All gasp and flinch away as a small voice speaks:

I am Etznab, the hall of mirrors.
The same reflection is seen by some as beauty,
       by others as distortion.
I, however, just am, a mirrored hologram,
       a means for you to acquire real vision
       that sees through the mirror of this apparent reality.
 

The space pitches with the powerful vibration held within the void. The mirror dissolves, right before your eyes,  and you step through the mirror.

I am Cib, 
       galactic guide, mystic ferryman
       on the return path to the stars!
Hold fast to my staff, which is extended to you, 
       that I may ferry you through the stargates
       of spiraling vortices
       that form the golden pillar unifying heart and mind,
       offering sweet reunion with cosmic consciousness.
My rod refines you into the crucible of knowing,
       piercing with ease the veil of the eternal questions of existence.
Feel it now,
       grounding its auroral currents into the garden
       of trust you have so carefully preserved here,
       in the name of love.

I am Muluc,
       the lotus of remembrance
       that carries the seed of the Great Dryad Tree!
The precious starseed within has remained poised
       within my protective embrace
       like a pulsating whisper of reunion's song unsung;
Waiting, cradled within the arms of the one moment,
       empowered to release their splendor back to you now!

As awakening stirs within  your earthen form,  the Dryad seed expands, releasing its elixir. Like an exhilarating fountain, it flows arousing its whisper into a voice empowered to extend its communication.

Speaking now in a strong voice Mulac continues:

Together we will plant a beautiful garden, 
    nourished by your desire for reunion.
I will hold you close within my protective robes of light
       until I see the strength of the rainbow warrior emerging.
I will steady your outreaching hands
       until I am sure remembrance is truly yours,
       certain you have heard strains of the sacred song
       that celebrates  your beauty and power.
Then shall I open my arms to release you,
       in harmonious passage keyed,
       to soar through my gates,
       newly charged with the remembrance
       of your unfolding purpose in the cosmic play of light.

I am Ix!
I am the shaman priest, the geomancer,
       the mystic builder and adapter of materials,
       the chameleon shapeshifter.
From what realm does my magicianship emerge? 

You whisper Earth and Ix nods.

But now I will reveal to you
       my most precious magical offering:
       the innocence, wisdom, and clarity
       embodied in the transparency of the magical child. (all party members receive +5 Senses)

Winged child who walks in wisdom and tenderness,
      thou art innocent laughter and flowered heart
      open wide in celebratory passion,
      for this dream is vitally alive!
And I, the cosmic pied piper,
      extend to you now my gentle hand. (all party members receive +5 Vitality)

You answer my fellow man. Manik nods and smiles. 

Open, open to my bounteous gifts! (all party members receive +5 Piety)

With that the orb shatters with a thunderous roar spilling you and the Dryad seed upon the ground. Lightning dances among the peaks and the very ground begins to tremble. From where the fountain once stood a tremendous tree springs upward. Silver bark glistening in the sun rays, crystal green leaves fluttering lightly in the breeze. It emanates a wondrous power and not knowing why, you understand that should you need its life giving powers all you need do is touch it. (Resurrection, power 7)

Dazed by the awesome power you have witnessed you think nothing more could possibly surprise you when suddenly Sprites of all types descend upon you. Not in anger, but with laughter and great joy.

One among them speaks: "You have restored that which was stolen from us long ago. Our sacred tree, the embodiment of our kind. As with all things, in time it perishes, but a single seed is given. This seed must be carried to the fires to be quickened and then returned here to the life waters. The last of the bearers was unable to complete her task but protected her consciousness, and that of those bearers before her, by creating the Blessed Orb. None among us could bear its burden. Only one true of heart and filled with the remembrance that Sprites and all kind were once in harmony could be the bearer. We thank you brave adventurers and we align ourselves to your purpose.

Sprites all over Dominus are now allied to your party and you breathe a sigh of relief knowing you have one more friend among the multitudes who would try to defeat your purpose.

Anyone familiar with Terry Brooks Shannara Series will see a similarity between the Dryad Tree and the Elcrys tree of the Elves used to hold back the demons from the Four Lands.