Blythewood Part 2
Summary: The Baron destroys a piece of history.
The Kingdom reconstructs lost knowledge with outside help.
The Faeries get restless.
[Old Thomas sends letter to Agnes]
Dear Agnes,
It was a struggle deciding what to do with the sapling.
We realized we know nothing about the Praying Tree.
In the end, the Ruler decided to plant the sapling and let come what may come.
Some claim to have seen the sapling dance in the sun! But, that was a while ago...
The sapling appears weaker by the day and I'm afraid it will wither away if we don't act soon.
Perhaps Mythic Essence is no longer enough?
Do you have an inkling to what we should do?
Do you know more about the Praying Tree?
Yours, Thomas
(OT>I should do my own research as well while we wait for Agnes' reply.
Will you help me look for books relating to: Blythewood, Praying Tree, magical plants,
and anything else that could help us understand this sapling?
1. Planting The Seeds Of.. ? (OT> Oh dear, we have a lot of translating to do. )
Ruler: I'll wait for the carrier pigeon with you, too. I have a feeling today is the day.
Ah, there's the little birdy now! Stupendous timing!
Dear Thomas,
I am at ease to hear the sapling arrived safely and is under your care.
We must move fast since Mythic Essences magic is no longer enough. . .
I did a little digging of my own. (Always one step ahead of you!)
According to rumors, The Barons Knights removed four trinkets that blessed the tree.
The removal of the trinkets was the true reason behind the trees passing.
The decree to not water the tree was just a diversion.
The Baron wanted the knowledge of the trinkets lost. .
The language barrier has been challenging, but I've befriended the Blythewood citizens.
They say they can recreate the missing trinkets, but it will be difficult.
I can't take on a task this large alone. . .
I hope distance wont be a problem for us working together.
The town has gotten strange since the trees passing. . I hope to read your words soon.
They bring me comfort.
In anticipation, Agnes
(OT> Oh dear, what should we do? Oh, yes, of course! You found the list of materials she needs.
This is quite a request. Do we have any of these materials in our Kingdom reserves?
2. Four Trinkets of Blessing *mail Agnes the materials*
(OT> I await the good news, Thomas )
Ruler: I hope Agnes is safe.. it has been awhile since she wrote back.
OT: I hope she is safe as well..
Thurston: My liege! This carrier pigeon was found outside our castle walls!
OT: Ah, that's Agnes' seal!
Dear Thomas,
I apologize for not sending this letter straight to your door. .
The Baron recently declared that letters can no longer be sent or received in Blythewood.
I had to do a lot of sneaking around to get this little birdy out unnoticed.
I'm starting to understand the language here better.
Communication should be much smoother from here on..
The Blythewood artisans crafted the trinket! They call it the Life Tree Trinket.
However this is just the base. . . The trinket is missing the blessing.
I believe the blessing is in the form of a stone. Perhaps a precious gem?
I hope you were able to find a lead, I will continue to ask around for more information.
Here is what I know so far, I hope my translations are correct:
There are four blessings that guarded the Praying Tree.
Each Trinket represents an element, I believe they are Water, Air, Fire, and Nature.
I will start looking into the history of the Praying Tree. . in the meantime,
The water blessing is that trinket that must be reconstructed first.
This carrier pigeon is trained, please use this one when you write back.
Love, Agnes
Ruler: A water stone?
(OT> Shall we tour all of our lakes, ponds, and rocks near the waters to understand what type of stone forms there?
We are looking for something that could represent a water stone..
3. Water Blessing (OT> We may need to travel to the ocean. )
Ruler: I don't think any of these rocks are it. They feel very ordinary.
Ivy: Duh, I could have told you that. Where we need to go is... the ocean!
Thurston: My liege, send me in your place. The ocean is a dangerous place, filled with Kraken!
And Sirens that will lure you to your DOOM with their melodies!
Ruler: Thurston, I think those are just sailor legends.
Sabina: No way, Princess Lorelei of the deep sea kingdom is real!
Ivy: Well, only one way to settle this? TO THE OCEAN!
Ruler: Why do I feel like this is a ploy to get us to go out to sea?
Ivy: Well, if you're a chicken, we can send our trusty knights instead.
But we'll need to supply them with Potion of Gills. So they can breathe underwater, duh!
OT: Ah, I see! The potion will help them swim deep into the ocean to mine precious sea stones!
Ivy: Yep! You got it!
Ruler: That sounds really dangerous? How long does this stuff last? Has ANYONE tried it before?
Ivy: I haven't brewed it before, but it shouldn't be too hard.
Lady G: If it worries you dear, allow me to help. I have a few recipes I would like to try as well..
Ruler: Oh geez.. OK. We will leave this up to you both.
(Ivy> We'll need ALL the ocean- y things. And whatever else Lady Greselda suggests.
This is gonna take awhile, but hey, no one's perfect! 4. Potion of Gills
(Ivy> Sooo, who wants to be a tester? )
Ruler: So how long after taking this potion will the effects kick in?
How long will it last? Do I grow gills? Where on my body.. ?
Lady G: Too many questions, dear. We won't know until we try it.
So.. which poor soul is going to try this?
Ivy: I say Thurston. He's the one that offered to go!
Thurston: *Gulp* I.. I..
Lady G: You did swear an oath to protect the Ruler, dearie.
Thurston: In the name of the Ruler, I will take this poison for thee!
Lady G: It's not poison, you - -
Ruler: It's ok Thurston. I can take the potion.
Thurston: No!
Lady G: Oh my, he's chugging all of it!
Ivy: Whoo hoo! Chug! Chug! Chug!
(Ivy> Ready, Old Thomas? Get out your ink and paper and get ready to
record this! This is going to be a great learning experience for all of us! )
5. Can I Breathe On Land? (Ivy>Quick, dunk his head into water! )
Ruler: Thurston! Are you ok?!
Ivy: He grew gills! His fingers are webbed!
Lady G: Fascinating..
Ivy: We can't test much if he's going to stick his head in a bucket until it wears off.
Lady G: Let's throw him into the nearby pond.
[At the pond]
Thurston: I'm swimming! This is aweso - - *gargle gargle*
Ivy: He's like a fish. He can't speak until he breathes underwater first.
Ruler: I guess it's.. totally safe.
Ivy: Yep! The only thing we need to worry about is the consistency in each bottle.
If they're unevenly brewed, some can last as short as five minutes!
Ruler: ..
(Lady G> Don't worry dear, we'll be sure to brew a very good batch when it's time to set out.
6. Deep Sea Exploring (Lady G> Well? Any Kraken?
Ivy: Thurston looks traumatized.
Ruler: Thank you, Thurston. Your service is greatly appreciated.
Thurston: Anything for my sovereign! The hair of Sirens cannot sway me to their side!
Ivy: I think that's seaweed you fought off. Not siren hair.
OT: Siren or not, these stones you recovered are magnificent!
Ruler: Yeah, I've never seen anything like this before. What is it?
Thurston: Lapis Lazuli, according to the common folk near the beach.
Ruler: What do we do now? Stick it into the Life Tree Trinket?
(OT> I believe so, let's take it to the Magic Forge. They should be able to figure something out for us
. 7. Lapis Lazuli Trinket (OT> Oh my, it's making my hands moist! )
Ruler: This is beautiful. Look, hold it! Your hands get moist!
Sabina: This is would make for an excellent moisturizer!
Ruler: That's a unique proposition.. but the sapling needs it more than we do.
OT: How about we build a post to place the trinket on?
That way it won't be so easy to remove..
Ruler: Good idea, let's do that.
(Sabina>I guess I can come by whenever my hands are dry and place them around the Lapis Lazuli trinket.
8.A Stake In The Tree -this should help it grow big and strong!
Sabina>Whoa... did the air change around here?)
[ Old Thomas writes to Agnes]
Dear Agnes,
The sapling grew in a matter of days!
It is not a fully grown tree, but I have no doubts that it will be soon!
The stone we used to fill the trinket was the Lapis Lazuli.
I did some research of my own, I am Studious Thomas after all!
Here are some things on the Praying Tree that were consistent across all scrolls.
Before I start, I must note that I never found anything on a *Praying Tree*
Rather, there are many references to a *Goddess Tree*
Perhaps they are one and the same? Any - who, here are my findings:
No one knows how the tree came to be, but many believe it is a powerful magical being.
It is said to be a beautiful tree with fuchsia petals that mimic velvet.
According to a poem, when one sits inside the draping vines of the Goddess Tree
And reflects in silence, one will always find the clarity they seek.
That's all I was able to find. I hope to translate more of the tomes tonight.
Be safe, my dear.
Devotedly, Thomas
(OT> I hope this pigeon remembers her way back to Agnes..
Glimmerspeed, sweet pigeon. Do not get caught. 9. Any New News?-to the Royal Exchange
*Old Thomas receives letter from Agnes* (OT> Excellent. Another Life Tree Trinket! )
Dear Thomas,
The townsfolk believe we are the chosen ones to save the tree!
I tell them they are too kind and it's truly justice that is on our side.
I am glad to hear you did your homework!
Yes! The Goddess Tree! My translation was off. My apologies!
The people of Blythewood don't know much about the Goddess Tree either..
Stories got lost over generations, unfortunately.
Here are my findings so far:
It is known that the Goddess Tree was loved by the Faeries.
The Trolls also regard the tree with respect, but never interacted with her.
Over time, humans discovered the tree and also started to seek her for comfort.
The Faeries welcomed the humans and shared the Goddess Tree with them.
When the Old King heard, he declared the Faeries were untrustworthy.
The Old King demanded the tree removed and the citizens and Faeries fought him.
With much loss and sadness, the defenders of the tree won.
After that the Blythewood people kept to themselves and not much else is known.
I have so many questions.. What is the origin of this tree?
Why was the Old King so obsessed with the Faeries during his rule?
What was the agreement between the Old King and Blythewood after the battle?
What does The Baron know of this tree?
Attached is another Trinket. Be safe.
Love, Agnes
(OT>Too many questions, and none of them happy. I propose we revisit
the tree, perhaps we'll be one of the lucky few to witness come of its guidance. )
10. Deep Rooted History- visit the Blythewood Tree: Hello? Anyone there?
(OT> I guess the tree isn't sentient.. yet? )
Ruler: I haven't felt anything *magical* happen. Anyone feel something out of the ordinary?
Ivy: Nope. Not me.
Ruler: Let's stop wasting energy and work on the Air Trinket.
What precious stone represents this element?
Ivy: No clue, but I think it'll most likely be a pearly blue color.
Ruler: Ok, let's split up and collect things we think could work?
Thurston: Rah - rah to that, my liege!
(Thurston> What's blue and is precious? It must symbolize the air nature.
What would Sir Wren do in this situation? 11. Something Blue, And Something New
glimmer dust-it's sparkly blue; mithril-a steel blue won't hurt;
blue petals- a soft blue might be good; enchanter?s essence-liquidy blue stuff;
earth wisp- it's more green? but it's a bit blue too;
glimmer shards- Lady Greselda likes these.
(Thurston: My sovereign, no need to hold back on feedback! )
Ruler: I don't think any of this is going to work.
I keep feeling the answer should be very obvious?
Sabina: That's because it is!
The obvious answer would have been.. Faeries! They are cute, teensy, and air like!
So we should have been using all the things Faerie. Not all the things blue!
Ruler: Good idea, Faerie - like items are special and very elemental in nature.
Let's collect some and see what we can do.
Sabina: Let's call it a Moonstone!
(Sabina>Yay! Moonstone it is! I hope when we combine it all together
the color is a beautiful pearly blue shade. 12. The Moonstone
-craft the Moonstone-to the Magic Forge.
(Sabina> Did I just see a Faerie at the windowsill?)
Sabina: It's gorgeous! Here! Press your ear to it.
Ruler: I hear something like.. wind - chimes against the breeze.
Sabina: That's a poetic way to put it.
Ruler: It's very peaceful...I hope the tree likes it as well.
(OT> If the water blessing helped the tree grow stronger, I wonder what this will do?
13. Air Blessing-this is our only stone! Don't break it!
(OT> The leaves... are turning fuchsia?)
Ruler: Whoa, the leaves are fading from green to magenta.
OT: Dear Ruler.. this isn't just any regular sapling..
This is the Goddess Tree! I have no doubts.
Sabina: Oh look! Faeries!
Ruler to Faerie: Hello. We're glad you came by, we have questions about this tree.
Faerie: Do not speak to us like we are friends.
[Faeries to each other-This is the tree our sisters told us about.
The magic surrounding it is too strong. There's nothing we can do now, we arrived too late.]
Faerie: Humans, what have you done?
Ruler: What do you mean?
Faerie: How dare you use our gifts and kindness on the likes of this tree.
Ruler: But I thought we were doing the Faeries a favor?
Faerie: A favor?! What filled your head with that many earthworms?
Ruler: History cites that the Faeries loved the Goddess Tree..
Faerie: Oh. You did not just - - You think we're all the same, don't cha?
Ruler: No.. umm.. That's not what I meant.. I..
Faerie: Here's a little neat fact for you. Not all Faeries are friends.
We're like you. There are many Faerie Factions and alliances.
Our Faerie Queen will be very displeased to hear of what you did..
How could you build the Faerie Respite to symbolize our friendship
and then root this Goddess Tree in your Kingdom? Are you playing games with us?
Ruler: Slow down, no one is trying to fool anyone!
Faerie: Sure, like we trust you.
And just to be sure you won't further this tree's powers with OUR things,
you can kiss the Respite goodbye. It will no longer produce items.
Tell the other Faerie Hive to supply you.
Goodbye. *Blows a raspberry* Blffffff!
Ruler: This isn't good. They think we're working with another Faerie group.
OT: This awful assumption was my fault, I take full responsibility.
Ruler: None of us knew.. The Faeries have remained hidden until recently.
They can't expect us to know everything about them when they've been so secretive.
We also built the Faerie Respite on our lands, not knowing what message it was sending..
That was misleading..
Well, the Faerie Respite doesn't seem to be working anymore.
Ruler: Let's be sure our tree is safe until we figure out what's going on..
(OT> Yes, we need to protect this living tree until we assess the situation.
14. Not All Faeries Are The Same!-Check the Goddess Tree-I feel a magical barrier;
check the lv5 Faerie Respite-they're mad? the respite isn't dropping items!
(OT> What do the faeries want from us?
)
