Journey to Baldur’s Gate

CH.4 Complication At The Druid Grove

The following day rolls in, and Ellynn awakens in the sun, feeling drained again. She slowly forces herself to get back on her feet and start packing away her camp section. Shadowheart takes notice of this and decides to cast her restoration spell again to alleviate her bloodless state. With a new vigor again, Ellynn could pack everything away and help the others with their sections.

Soon after helping with her section, she approaches Shadowheart. “Could I talk to you for a moment?”

Shadowheart looks at her and smiles. “Very well. What’s on your mind?”

“You’re probably not going to like this, but I need you to remain in camp for now.”

“Are you sure you want me to stay here?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Fine. I’ll be here if you ever regain your taste in company.” She seemed a bit unamused, knowing Ellynn was planning on asking Lae’zel to join her group for the time being. But she didn’t disapprove of her choice for now.

“Right… Thank you.” Ellynn turns away and starts walking toward Lae’zel, approaching the gith.

She sits on her knees, her eyes closed as if in meditation. Her eyes sharply flit open as she stands at her feet, her gaze piercing deep into Ellynn’s eyes. “Speak,” she says to her very bluntly.

She is somewhat taken aback but speaks up. “I’d like you to join me.”

Lae’zel nods to her. “It is done.”

So, the group sets off on another adventure for the day with their newest companion. They all trek back to the refuge, making their way into the grove again, as Lae’zel immediately begins her search for Zorru. Soon, they come across a Tiefling man in front of a storage house, and he looks at Lae’zel with horrified eyes.

“B-By Mordai’s eyes, more of you,” he says, trying to back away from her as she approaches and stands before him with her arms crossed. “My friend’s blood not enough? Come to rip me open, too?”

“In Crèche K’liir, a formal greeting begins with a bow.”

Ellynn watches the tiefling ponder a bit before speaking up. “I suggest you do what she says…”

He grimaces as he slowly begins to bow.

“Lower,” says Lae’zel with venom in her tone.

“..... On your knees. She won’t say it again…”

Zorru gulps as he gets to his knees, lowering his bow as Lae’zel watched with satisfaction.

“You saw another Gith. Where?”

“On the road to Baldur’s Gate, near the mountain p-pass…. Saw us ‘fore we saw it. Jammed its b-b-blade through Yul’s belly, straight to the other side…”

“No twisting?” She tilts slightly confusedly. “Kin must have been in a hurry.” She digs into her pack and pulls out a map before tossing it at the man’s knees. “The map. Show me.”

He takes the map and starts making it as Ellynn and Lae’zel exchange looks for a moment before he returns it to her.

“Up. You can keep your innards.”

Astarion raises his brow at this. “You’re not going to eviscerate him? I was hoping for a show.”

Lae’zel scoffs. “Cool your blood—I’ll indulge you soon enough.” She then looks to Ellynn with a slight smirk of satisfaction. “The locals prove compliant. It's a useful trait.”

“Um… I suppose you’re a dab hand at interrogations - we might need that skill again.”

Astarion raises his brows with pleasant surprise toward Ellynn as Lae’zel responds kindly. “Chk! A shell so thin requires little to crack it. The teeth-ling was clear. If there are githyanki west of here, that must be our objective. Purification cannot wait.”

Ellynn nearly snickers as she tries to keep her composure. “H-Heh. Did you say ‘teeth-ling’?”

Lae’zel rolls her eyes with bemusement. “I am unfamiliar with the - well, I shall not say culture. ‘Custom’, perhaps? You will educate me on matters of this Fay-run.”

“No, no. It’s Faerȗn.”

“Tch!” Lae’zel spits back, frowning at her.

“Anyway, what do you mean ‘purification’?”

“The crèche holds the zaith’isk. It will cleanse us of the parasite. By covenant, I can say no more.”

“Very well then.” She checks her journal, trying to figure out what else they could look into, but as she flips through the pages, she hears a familiar voice behind them.

“Go on. Give me your best shot.” Ellynn turns and sees the human with a group of tiefling children, training them with practice swords. The boy, Umi, tries to swing his sword at him but puts too much into it, and as soon as the blade lowers, the man raises his blade at the boy. “Not bad. Try again.”

Ellynn smiles and begins to approach to watch closely. Astarion watches her with a raised brow before seeing the man and quickly following behind her while the rest of the group follows closely.

Umi attempts to thrust the blade, but the man moves behind him smoothly and pats his back with the flat side of the blade. The boy frowns, frustrated, as he returns to his position, lowering his head. “I can’t do it. I’m not like you.”

The man frowns a bit as he gets down to his level. “Umi, I don’t need you to be like me.” Umi looks back up at the man. “You just need to buy enough time to run. Come on.” He stands back up. “I believe in you. You can do this.”

Ellynn decides to chime in and try to build some confidence. “It’s good advice, child. You’d do well to listen to it.”

The man looks at her, and she now notices he only has one eye. The right one was made of stone but moved very fluidly in his head. He smiles as he looks back at Umi. “You’re on the right path, Umi. Go on, now - practice what you’ve learned.” He sheathes his rapier as he approaches. “Well met.” He takes her hand gently. “The Blade of Frontiers, at your-”

Suddenly, their minds began to meld together, like Astarion and Lae’zel. The man’s smile bends downwards as his thoughts become one with hers. She sees from his perspective. She is now the Blade of Frontiers, racing through the wastes of Avernus. A diabolical figure - red skin, a single curled horn - blazes with flame, a bloodied great axe held high just ahead. Their thoughts separated for a moment.

“Hells’ great fires - you were on the ship!”

“Yes… And we both carry parasites.”

“Mm… doomed to shed our skin and become illithid, or so the stories go. But we haven’t sprouted any tentacles - not yet, anyway. Could just be good luck, but I’m not so-”

Their minds collide once more. The man chases the fiend, ignited with rancour. She is an infernal war devil, a threat to the living - evil incarnate.

“s**t - you saw her! Advocatus Diaboli.”

She recalls the term very well. It meant a Devil’s Advocate - a champion in the Blood War between diabolical forces and demons. “Who is she?”

“Her name is Karlach. An archdevil’s soldier I swore on my good eye to kill. I tracked her through the Hells to the mind flayer ship. But the damned illithids infected me before I could end her. She’s out there now, preying on the innocent. I don’t kill her, she’ll leave behind nothing but a trail of corpses.”

“I’m looking to cure this infection. I suggest we partner up.”

“Just so you know, my first duty is Karlach. I’m oathbound to go after her, but I won’t deny that this infection is bothersome. I accept your invitation. But you’ll need to make room if you want to partner up. Still, when the time comes, call for the Blade. I won’t be long to answer.”

“O-Oh! Uh… well…”

Astarion comes up behind her. “And does the Blade have a proper name, or is it just the Blade?”

“Ah, yes, right. I am Wyll. And again—” He retakes Ellyn’s hand and kisses it softly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

Ellynn smiles shyly, her face a soft red shade as Astarion notices. “Yes, yes, now that we know who you are, maybe you should go to our camp. You can wait for us there.”

“That's a splendid plan. We’ll talk more then.” Wyll walks away from the group, and Ellynn looks up at Astarion.

“What has gotten into you?”

“What? Nothing has gotten into me. Not yet, anyway~.”

Gale chimes in. “No need for vulgarity, my friend. I think I quite like our new addition to the group. A warlock could certainly lend some powerful spells to our little group of misfits.”

“And I don’t care what you say, yet again.”

Ellynn frowns at him. “Stop being rude, Astarion, or I will send you to camp too.”

Astarion looks down at her, nearly amused by her frowning face. “Darling, you’ll get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that. It’s just a little banter between friends, that’s all~.”

Lae’zel scoffs. “Do not presume we are friends. This is merely a fellowship of convenience until we are purified of these parasites.”

Ellynn sighs as she pinches the bridge of her nose. “We just got started today. Why is it already falling apart?”

“If I may interject something,” Gale began, “Perhaps our pale friend here might be a little jealous over our new warlock exchanging pleasantries with you.”

“Again, with the jealousy,” Astarion rolls his eyes. “Honestly, it’s as if you cannot stay quiet. I am not jealous of our leader flirting with some fairy tale prince charming I likely would have dreamed about as a boy.”

“Oh my goodness, you are jealous.” Ellynn giggles at him as Astarion appears flustered.

“Oh, piss off. Weren’t we supposed to be doing something here?”

“I heard about a Druid Grove around this settlement. I heard there was a druid healer we could talk to.”

“Then let’s go already!”

Ellynn chuckles as she starts making her way toward the grove but finds a group of distressed tieflings being blocked by three druids, one of whom has already taken the wild shape of a bear.

A tiefling man in blue shouted out. “Please, just let us through!”

“It is forbidden,” said a druid woman sternly.

“Let my daughter go - right now,” shouted a female tiefling, clearly distressed.

“She’s a thief, hellspawn. And you will wait for Kagha’s judgment. Now get back,” the druid woman yelled back.

“Argh!” The tiefling mother growled out, getting more distressed. “Let me through, mragreshem, or I’ll rip your damned throat out!”

A druid in front of the crowd shifts into a bear form, ready to attack. The tiefling crowd quickly dispersed, the couple standing by the stairs leading to the refuge. The mother starts speaking with her husband.

“We need to get Arabella out. Now.”

“You heard the guards,” the husband replies, trying to stay calm. “They’re waiting on Kagha to give word.”

“I’d sooner trek through the Nine Hells than trust that snake! Argh!”

Ellynn approached the couple as the rest of the group followed closely. “I saw what happened. Why are the druids holding your daughter?”

The husband looks at her and replies, “Arabella tried to steal their idol. Druids lost their damn minds about it - they need it for their precious ritual…”

The mother whimpers somewhat, thinking hard about it. “It’s all my fault. I told her I wished the wretched thing would just disappear - or better yet, explode…”

“Now Arabella is being judged by a bunch of druids who hate us. That’s not right…”

Ellynn frowns at her as she responds sternly. “She’s just a child - the druids are overreacting. I’ll talk to them.”

Astarion rolled his eyes at her while Gale nodded in agreement as the father spoke. “Thank you. They don’t give us the time of day.”

“Hurry,” said the mother, getting more impatient. “I’m at the end of my tether as is - can’t take this waiting.”

Ellynn nods as she approaches the archway into the grove, but the druids swiftly stop her. The bear snarls at her as she gets close.

The druid woman from before stops him in his tracks. “Calm, Maggran. Give her a chance.” She then glares at Ellynn. “You - step back. No one is to be near the grove.”

Ellynn frowns at her. “If it weren’t for me, you’d be overrun by goblins by now. I’ll go where I please.”

The druid glares at her and holds her hand out. “Keep back. Force my hand, and I’ll show you its claws.”

A druid gnome beside her suddenly speaks up. “A moment, Jeorna.” He leans in and begins to whisper toward her.

“What…?” Jeorna said, visibly confused. “Why would she allow one of them? I…. I suppose so, yes. You. Apparently, Kagha wants to see you. Go ahead. But a word of warning. One wrong move and every single animal here will tear you apart.”

Ellynn gulps a bit as she starts walking by. “Of course…” She makes her way into the grove and glances around. Such lush greenery with a center, a circle of druids kneeled around it as they all chanted in unison. An idol statuette is in the center on a pedestal, emitting a powerful green aura.

Astarion’s eyes gleam at the idol as he walks with her. “Such a pretty souvenir if we can slip past them.”

“No, Astarion.”

“You’re no fun. And others say I’m jealous of you? Please.”

“No one said anything about that in quite a few minutes. You’re the one still talking about it.”

“And? Doesn’t make it true.”

She chuckles at him. “Whatever you say, darling.”

He looked at her, confused, as he seemed to be a tad flustered by that. “Only I can call people that…”

They approach a stone wall with intricate carvings along it. But there was a slight breeze coming from the gaps along it. It was a door. It slowly lowers into the ground, allowing her and the group to stroll in. Inside was what appeared to be a cozy den, but it was anything but comfortable. Up ahead, they could hear shouting. A young child’s voice pierced through, along with two adult voices.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” The child sounded very distressed as a hissing could be heard. Ellynn quickly ran ahead to see what was happening. A young tiefling girl was standing between two druids. A wood elf woman with fiery red hair tied in an elaborate bun almost reminiscent of a cobra’s hood and a druid man looking to calm the situation down as best as possible. A red viper with horns along its snout slithered on the stone table behind the young tiefling, raising its head and flashing fangs at her.

“Please,” the girl begged before exclaiming, “I’m sorry!”

“This is madness, Kagha,” the man began to say. “She’s just a…”

“A what, Rath? A thief? A poison? A threat?” The woman responded with venom in her tongue. “I will imprison the devil. And I will cast out every stranger.”

“Imprison her?” Ellynn asks with some vital concern in her tone. “She’s just a child.”

Kagha looks at her and frowns. “She’s a parasite. She eats our food, drinks our water. Then steals our most holy idol in thanks! Rath - lock her up. She remains here until the rite is complete.” She then leans toward the girl, a dark smirk cascading down her features. “And keep still, devil. Teela is restless.” She said as the viper suddenly slithered in front of the girl’s face, hissing at her as the girl gasped in horror.

“Come, Kagha,” Rath began to speak, a hidden desperation being seen by Ellynn. “We took back the idol. Surely…”

“Do it,” said Kagha plainly and bluntly.

Ellynn frowns as she discreetly begins to read Kagha’s mind. Her spell goes unnoticed as she can hear her true thoughts.

“Halsin is gone - I am First Druid now. I will take control and prove my authority.”

Ellynn looked at Kagha, sternly gazing into her eyes as she said, “You’ve proven your authority. Now prove your mercy.”

Kagha looks at her in surprise as she nods. “Fair words…” She then looks at the child. “Child, take to the others word of my grace.” She turns her gaze to the viper and hisses out. “Ssifisv! Teela, to me.” The viper slithers past the girl’s feet as she whimpers down at it before running out of the den.

“Thank you, Kagha,” Rath began. “Master Halsin would-”

“Halsin isn’t here,” she snapped back. “Keep his name off your tongue, lest Teela pierce it.” Rath nodded in submission before taking a seat at the table. Kagha looks at Ellynn and nods her head to beckon her over. Ellynn approaches the woman. “Go on. Say it. You think I’m a monster.”

Ellynn didn’t hesitate. “Only a monster would threaten a child…”

“I know your kind from other circles… You see only villains and victims. A viper bares her fangs, defending her brood. I call her mother. You call her monster.” Ellynn frowns as she continues. “No matter. I took back the Idol of Silvanus, and the rite has resumed. We will seal the grove. Free from harm. Free from intruders.”

Ellynn could feel the idol’s magic outside the den. “This rite must be born of powerful magic.”

She smirks at her. “The Rite of Thorns. It is the Treefather’s gift that none come to harm. When we speak the final prayer, the Great Vine will sprout forth. The grove will be cloaked in bramble and thorn. No one enters, no one leaves. Sanctuary. None of this can happen while outlanders infect us. Silvanus demands that we choke them out.”

Ellynn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This sanctuary she speaks of, yet she would force families and children to return to the road to die by the goblins or worse. “You must let them stay. They’ve done nothing to harm you!”

“Nothing?” She exclaims, baffled by her words. She glared at her as she hissed, “They’ve done everything. You showed great mettle at the gate - the mettle of a skilled sword for hire. I want you to provide your services to the tiefling leader - Zevlor, he’s called. Offer to guide the outlanders out of the grove. I’m sure they’ll reward you well. They’re to be gone before the final prayer. If they are not…. The viper must strike.”

Ellynn sighs as she lowers her head. “Then it seems I best speak to Zevlor…”

Kagha smirked at her in the same darkness as before. “This tale ends but one way: with the outlander rot cleansed, and the grove forever shrouded.”

Ellynn had nothing more to say as she quickly turned and left the den, visibly seething with rage. She begins to leave the grove with the group following her. She then sees the tiefling family from before, Arabella pacing while the parents scold her.

“You ever scare me like that again,” the mother said very firmly to the girl, “And I’ll feed you to a gnoll.”

“Mum,” Arabella began. “I’m fine. Stop it.”

The husband chuckles as he looks up and sees Ellynn approaching. “Our little hellion told us what happened. Thank you - don’t know what we’d do without her.”

Ellynn nods, smiling softly. “I hope we’ll meet again under better circumstances.”

“Likewise. Arabella?” He looked down at the girl.

She nods as she looks up at Ellynn with those fiery eyes that tieflings often have. “Thank you. For helping me.”

Her mother takes out a locket and places it in Ellynn’s hands. “This is all I can give. I hope that’s enough. It’s enchanted with a spell that you can cast. Dancing lights. It’s not much…”

Ellynn nods as she accepts the trinket and packs it away. “I’ll take good care of it.”

“Thank you.”

Ellynn smiled as she started walking away. She felt a little better since the child was safe, but she was still simmering with anger toward Kagha as she exited the area and headed toward her camp.

“I think I want to call it a day. Let’s get back to camp.”

Soon, the whole group returned to the camp, with Wyll and Shadowheart already conversing with one another as Ellynn went to light the campfire. The rest of her group scattered to their usual spots, but Gale decided to help her set up.

“That woman has more venom in her heart than a snake in its fangs… But at least the child is safe. What is youth if not a time to be forgiven of one’s transgressions?”

Ellynn sighed as she started building up a firebolt spell in her hands. “Putting a child on display like that was monstrous… I’m glad we intervened.”

“Couldn’t agree more. The girl wasn’t innocent, but that doesn’t mean she was guilty…”

She nods as she throws it onto the wood pile, and the campfire is lit ablaze. She sits down beside it, and Gale looks down at her.

“Perhaps a nice meal made by yours truly might lift your dampened spirits.”

She chuckles a bit as she nods. “Sounds nice…”

Astarion watched them as he skimmed through his book again. “I’d better make my move… soon… Just need to find the right moment…”

As Gale cooked his promised meal, the rest of the group gathered around the campfire, sharing stories. Ellynn listened, and a soft smile spread across her face. She looks back and sees Astarion in his tent, perusing his book as usual. She stands up and approaches the vampire, bringing a couple of goblets filled with wine, and she holds one out to him.

“It’s much more fun when everyone joins in.”

Astarion looks at the goblet and breathes out a chuckle. She takes it and swirls the drink around. “You know, if you just want to spend time with me, you only need to ask~.”

Ellynn rolls her eyes, chuckling softly. “Gods forbid I try to do something nice for you.”

“On the contrary, I should do so for you. With the kind of day we all had, you must be positively exhausted, my dear.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m just happy the day is over. Now come on.” She reaches out and takes his hand as he looks down, his ears perking up a bit. “Everyone’s sharing stories. I think you’ll enjoy them.”

Astarion clears his throat and sips the wine. “Hm. Not a bad vintage. Very well, I shall grace everyone with my presence~.”

“Whatever you say, Prince Charming.” She leads him to the group at the campfire and has him sit beside her as everyone continues sharing tales of their travels. Gale soon says the food is ready, and everyone begins to partake….. Only to turn around and spit some out when he wasn’t looking. It seems cooking isn’t quite the wizard’s expertise, but the mood remained unchanged. The night passes smoothly, and everyone eventually falls asleep around the campfire.