114663-the-hedge

== Content ==
			
The following is ingame Wildseed Circle Roleplay adapted for the forums!
 
 Rocio sat on a pile of pillows and looked up from his map at Elora. His expression was serious. "That Hedge: it's hiding something. It's not to keep us out. It's to keep whatever is in there... in there."
 
The Wildseeds had been hard at work since they discovered a massive tangle of plant life. Rocio Bloodmoon had attempted to commune with this strange phenomenon, only to be attacked by it the minute he accessed the Weave that sustained it. The roots and branches lashed out like whips and attempted to crush him. He was only saved by the pistol he kept on him at all times. 
 
All attempts to burn, raze, or clear the massive hedge were unsuccessful. Physical demolition prompted the web to grow even stronger, thicker and more closely enmeshed.
 
Their only option was to try to open it with a Weave Magic strong enough to suppress the Hedge's immune response. Within the hedge was a shrine that seemed steeped in primal life energy. But Rocio's real motivation was to just rid the place of this dangerous anomaly. It was a constant ache in the back of his head every time he meditated on the Weave.
 
Elora was standing over him, holding a pack full of rations and supplies. "Rocio.. please.. please be safe..." Her eyes blinked back tears and she trembled. "PLEASE."
 
Rocio stood up and pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair.
 
Her arms tightened around him. "I love you so much! Please just come home." 
 
He chuckled. "What's with the waterworks? We've been through worse." He gave her a peck on the lips. "I'll come home. I will. And I"ll bring back that Primal Life."
 
"I love you, Rocio. With every fiber in me I love you."
 
"I love you too. And I won't let anything hurt you or the child..." He sighed his chest rising and falling against her. "Hey. We need to think of a name for her."
 
She let him go and wiped at her face. "We will. Not right now. When you get home, after you rest."
 
Rocio smiled and nodded once. "Then I'll make this quick."
 
"I love you. Be safe." She repeated, then went upstairs.
 
The four adventurers gathered up at a determined weak spot in the Hedge. Although the four of them were experienced and strong fighters, the imposing bramble was like a massive beast in front of them. Rocio, the Alpha of the Wildseeds, was joined by his trustworthy beta, an orange Aurin named Daxterr who was checking his pistols every few minutes. Demetrius, the unusual Mordesh, was someone that Rocio definitely wanted on this trip. His knowledge of science and alchemy, as well as his grasp of nature and the Weave made him useful to him. Rocio had doubted Demetrius and tested his abilities, but the Mordesh had yet to let him down. He was holding a large staff that seemed to be of Aurin make. It didn't appear that he was going to be a silent observer this time. Demetrius looked down at the aurin, then back to the hedge. ".....The forest is in pain." He said in his mechanical voice.
 
Finally, there was Karaaga, the female Aurin. She wasn't his mate. She was a new member, shy and looking as though she was regretting this expedition already. But it was too late to turn back now.
 
The Hedge was a massive wall of thick thorny branches and vines reaching 15 feet into the air and forming a dome shaped scab over the forest. The Aurin could feel it pulse, like a twisted and cramped muscle in the Weave that needed relief.
 
"We'll need to commune all at once to open the gate." Rocio said, "You're all ready?"
 
"I am not very good at doing this with other people." Karaaga mumbled.
 
Daxterr knelt to the ground and begins to commune,"Lets do this."
 
Demetrius took his staff and stuck it into the ground. Large amounts of life energy pulsate from the ground and around the staff, quickly spreading all the way up the instrument. Vines and flowers formed along it. His eyes glow a mighty green before he suddenly hits a pulse of energy which causes his body to glow gold.
 
As Wildseed tribe's Weave magic takes effect, the thick ancient branches of the hedge tendril and entwine, forming a massive double door. The gate slowly opens.
 
Daxterr looked inside the gate and scowled. "We're going to need a big saw."
 
The hedge was actively moving and growing, the branches moving snake-like along the walls. Only the Weave magicks of the group prevented the hedge from attacking them. They felt the Hedge's intense hostility and a deep foreboding.
 
Karaaga looked up in surprise, "That wasn't...."
 
Daxterr rubbed his temples, feeling the rage,"This could be bad."
 
Rocio squinted. "I hear voices. Something... terrible is happening here."
 
Demetrius held his staff up in the air, forming a protective barrier around the group with strong magic. ".....What twisted nature...."
 
As they continued inside, they heard a faint rustling of something moving toward them. Rocio held up one hand to halt the group. They see a quick serpentine shadow slither among the branches. Daxterr immediately aims his pistols and fires off a volley of spells. A massive worm reared its head and opened a circular mouth full of multiple rows of teeth that dripped a digestive ooze.
 
The worm thrust its head forward in a hard strike. Rocio and Karaaga manage to turn aside and dodge it but it rams into Dax's shoulder, knocking him sideways. Demetrius held his staff up. He stomps one foot and creates a strong shield around the group from pulsing magic. Demetrius shield completely knocks the beast away and sends it crashing into the hedge branches.
 
Daxterr clambered to his feet clutching his arm and swearing.
 
Demetrius thrust his staff forwards in attempt to create bounds of vines to wrap around the beast and it immediately began to attempt to destroy the trap by spitting its acid on it. Karaaga jerked herself sideways with her mind. Upon landing a she clenched a hand then opens it to reveal a small dense azure flame that she then throws at the worms open mouth.
 
Rocio takes the chance to conjure a psionic blade and rush at the creature in an attempt to sever it's head. The strike is true, the beast's head goes flying and lands with a thud. The flame falls against the vines and sets them on fire. The beast is engulfed in flames. He smiled at the impromptu worm roast. "Nice work everyone."
 
Rocio glanced at Karaaga. "Are you alright?" Karaaga nods her head.
 
Inside the flames burning the beast, they see an apparition of a Lifecaller. One arm is wrapped around a bleeding injury to her abdomen. Scantily clad and holding a broken staff, she kneels amid the gore and cries. "We were deceived..." She moans softly. "We were deceived. Oh... Vitara..."
 
Demetrius takes a few steps forwards, inspecting the geist. Karaaga, looking at the apparition intently, concentrates, until a mirror of the apparition appears in her hand before disappearing.
 
"Deceived...?" Rocio asked. But the ghost doesn't respond.
 
Daxterr cants his head to one side, equally perplexed. The Hedge begins to suddenly shift, opening a new passage way. He eyed the passage,"I think it wants us to go that way?"
 
They continue on. The Weave in the Hedge echoes words that no one can understand but also feelings. Hope, Panic, Despair. They drip like rain through the entangled vines.
 
Rocio looks around and shivers. "The pressure... It's getting stronger."
 
Daxterr feels it too,"Yeah."
 
Karaaga looks at Daxterr's injury and holds out a glowing hand bathed in weave energy, "You look a little hurt, do you mind if I...?" 
 
Daxterr looks to the woman and gives a silent consent. Karaaga stops her hand just short of him, the glow passes from her hand to his back then flows to his injuries. Daxterr feels the restoration and relief. "Thank you." he sighs.
 
Demetrius speaks up. "I am stronger than you all. If you wish for me to, I will go on and see what is ahead, as I can bear stronger pain for longer..." He does not mean that as gloating. He just means his body is larger and can resist more. But Rocio shakes his head.
 
"We should stick together. It took all our strength just to get in here. we shouldn't split up. But ... thank you."
 
Demetrius slowly but firmly nods. "Lead the way, Alpha."
 
A low growl echoes through the Hedge. Four glowing eyes peer at them from within the shade. One huge paw steps into the light followed by a large head of the Girrok. Attached to the Girrok's back is the upper half of a Forest guardian! Demetrius takes a few steps back, a bit shocked. "....Sweet Mother of Grismara... What has this forest created..?"
 
Karaaga locks eyes with the Chimera.
 
The Chimera locks eyes with Karaaga. Its upper body seems to sneer at her. It goes for her grabbing her by the arm in its girrok mouth and flinging her screaming into the hedge branches. Demetrius attempts to leap away and dodge but the upper half of the beast balls up its fist and knocks him to the ground. Daxterr is next. A girrok paw swipe rolls him. Even Rocio isn't spared. Rocio tries to stab the beast with a psionic blade to distract it but it doesn't even flinch, Rocio is knocked over by a single butt to the head. The beast roars and appears to laugh at them.
 
Daxterr falls to his back, winded. He shakes his head to clear it and slowly gets up drawing his weapon and aims squarely at the beast's gaping Girrok mouth. The monster laughs and then chokes as the bullet goes straight down his throat. It howls in pain, blood oozing from between its teeth.
 
Demetrius having hit a tree also rises to his feet and puts his staff away, "..Nhgg.."No more Mr. Nice Mordesh." he unsheathes a purple and green display of claws and goes to slice the beast in quick movements. Karaaga, still tangled in the vines, concentrates more deeply into the weave and attempts to bind the Chimera with them.
 
The beast staggers back under Demetrius's onslaught. The Mordesh removes one of the Forest Guardian hands completely. Then it staggers under the sudden weight of Karaaga's vines. It begins to scream and flail at anything that moves. Rocio snarls and calls forth his mighty bird, striking the chimera with the full force of his mind burst. He completely removes the Forest guardian head and the upper body goes limp. 
 
Karaaga's eyes light as she grasps two of the vines holding the monster. The vines ignite sending an azure blaze towards the Chimera. The blue flames reach the beast and ignite it. Wounded and aflame, the Chimera sinks to the ground.
 
 
Rocio pants with exhaustion. "That... was ugly."
 
Demetrius: kneels, trying to get his breath. He rubs at his chest, feeling broken bones. Rocio goes to the mordesh. "Hang in there! Demmie!"
 
Karaaga says in her soft voice "Here..." She crouches and twirls her pointer finger in the ground. From the spot, a vine springs up to a height of about twice an Aurin. Golden flowers go from bud to bloom in seconds and, upon her blowing on them, the flowers radiate a healing aura.
 
Demetrius grunts; feeling his rib grow back into place did not feel good.
 
Rocio smiles at Karaaga. "And you said you were no good with the Weave!"
 
Karaaga looks embarrassed, "I am bad at making things do what they are not meant to do."
 
The corpse of the Chimera glows and releases the spirit of another fallen Torine, a Lifecaller. The spirit begins to cry.
 
Rocio looks at the pathetic ghost. "I think these spirits are trying to tell us what happened here..."
 
Daxterr shrugs.
 
Rocio addresses the ghost. "Please... we don't understand... what are these monsters? What's going on?"
 
Behind them, Karaaga stares at or through the spirit, mumbles something, then another mirror appears briefly in her hand before disappearing. She looks sad.
 
The Lifecaller beckons them to follow her. They come to a very large clearing. In the middle of the clearing is a pond of pure primal life. 
 
Rocio's eyes widen with shock. "This is where the voices were coming from... This life energy... it can't go back to the Weave..."
 
Karaaga scans the area around the pond. Large clearings were rarely peaceful areas.
 
But the Alpha is heedless of any danger. "It looks like the consciousness of the energy is speaking but..." Rocio tries to listen harder. "I don't understand. Danger? Is it the Strain?" Rocio pauses to listen. "It's not the Strain."
 
Daxterr looks relieved. Karaaga frowns and takes a few cautious steps back from the group. 
 
"Show...? It's going to show us!" Rocio looks back at them.
 
Daxterr draws his weapons and shakes his head. "Awww crap."
 
"I don't think you want..." Karaaga whimpers.
 
The pond reflection begins to shift and change. They see the Torine holding some sort of ancient ritual. They're standing around a stone shrine. In the middle of the shrine is a small version of one of those lifeblood trees, a sapling. The head priestess, clad in a huge bone-and-feathers headdress and little else, calls out to the tree. Then, they see another Torine woman approach. She's shaved bald except for a long ponytail at the back of her head. In her hands is a very broad and ornate sword. With a mighty yell, she attacks, killing the other priestesses in cold blood.
 
Daxterr's eyes widen in behind his mask and they all watch in horror. She is severing their bodies in pieces and piling them against the tree. She calls upon the Lifeblood tree and the bones and the body parts reanimate into thralls, monsters and devils. The vision ends.
 
The color leaves Rocio's face. "Why? What's going on?"
 
Demetrius takes a few steps back, "...No... Rocio.. ...All of these.. monsters.. we have been slaying.. They were all once Torine..."
 
The Benevolent Torine spirit gives Rocio a key to a door and points the way forward. "Go... Chosen of Vitara..."
 
Rocio takes the key and looks at the others. "We must be... getting close."
 
Daxterr reloads his pistols. "That could be both bad and good." 
 
The Alpha shrugs. "Either way, there's no going back now."
 
Before they got much further, a sudden light flashes behind them! They turn to see the spirit transfixed by an ethereal spear through her middle. She stares in wide eyed shock for a few moments and fades back into the hedge. In the dark, they hear a low malevolent laugh. 
 
Rocio steels himself. "This... this is torture... you can't keep these spirits here and abuse them like this."
 
Demetrius holds his staff up and creates another energy shield, just from impulse. Before them is a large door. The key begins to shine and floats toward the door and pauses there. The door slowly opens. Rocio goes inside not waiting for anyone else.
 
The others follow and see that it is the same place they saw in the Lifepond vision. Even the tree is there, though it glows an unnatural red. Sitting in front of the tree is the same shaven swordmaiden. "So, you managed to make it in here and open the door... Well done, you dogs of Vitara." she speaks.
 
The Wildseeds brandish their weapons, but the swordmaiden doesn't move, only gazes at them.
 
"Who... who are you?" Rocio tries not to shake. Her eyes were so empty. 
 
She looks on the Wildseeds with disdainful smirk. "This is a lost treasure of magic, suppressed by that vile creature." She gestures to the altar. "Soon... I will no longer be slave to that monster and I will no longer be a prisoner on this planet. I will become one with all... and all will be one with me..."
 
"Such power is beyond you worms." She stands up. "Death is a void that pulls Lifeblood, directs it... controls it. Without death, Lifeblood has no pulse. I am a Deathbringer." She sighs and looks on the red tree. "It's almost time." She grins, revealing teeth filed into fangs. "Death awaits you! But do not fear, your souls will join the rest of them as part of me."
 
She whirls her sword, slicing through a rope that was extending from the ceiling to a hidden door. "Come my great Pumera... Destroy these outsiders!" At that, she oozes a dark energy and vanishes.
 
A roar shakes the small room and a door opens revealing a scarred black Pumera of immense size. Its head is capped in skull helm. It's eyes glow a supernatural red. The beast unsheathes claws the size of a butcher's knives. It peels back its lips, revealing teeth that can sever a man's head in one snap. Long lines of drool hand from its jaws. It leaps into the group with lightning speed. Rocio is caught first -- its claws rake down his back. Then it goes after Karaaga, bashing her to the ground with a heavy paw. It pounces on Demetrius, knocking him down and rams its shoulder into Daxterr, crushing him against the wall.
 
It leaps away, pacing and shaking itself in victory before it strikes again. The fighting and the hikes have taken their toll on Demetrius. Still, he tries to defend his friends a weak pulse of energy, like a shard, heads for one of the creature's eyes. The beast seems almost insulted by Demetrius's puny attempt and lashes out with one paw cutting him across the chest. Demetrius weakly grips his chest, trying to heal himself, though he seems in agonizing pain and can hardly do so.
 
Daxterr rushes forward and jumps onto the beasts back to shoot it in the head multiple times, but the bullets hit and crack the creature's helm. It flings him away with a single buck of its back. Karaaga holds out her left hand facing downward, lights appear around her and condenses into a small swarm of spectral phantasms. The phantasms rush forward biting and snapping and attempt to latch onto the foe's limbs. Infuriated the pumera pounces on the psionic phantasms, leaving it open to attack. 
 
Rocio, trembling from pain and blood loss, manages a single telekinetic strike before collapsing. It hits hard, landing several psionic blades into the beast's side. It howls and leaps away from them. It seems to have only been made angrier. 
 
The wounds from the telekinetic strike must have really hurt the Pumera. It lets out a frightening roar and attacks Karaaga but she dodges. Demetrius is attacked next but the creature seems disoriented by what's left of the phastasms. When it comes for Rocio, the Aurin is ready and cuts the beast under the chin when it gets close. In the meantime, Dax is pumping as many bullets as he can into it.
 
Karaaga's head snaps up from her normal downward gaze and she jumps about 3 meters into the air, seems to impossibly pause for the briefest moment while an eerie dark light holds her body, and lands in a crouch, one hand on the ground, ears laid low, and tail fur bristling. Trailing from the spectral image of Karaaga is the faintest of ripples leading to where Karaaga has hidden herself. The Pumera attacks the phantom image left behind, expending its waning strength.
 
Karaaga's eyes glow she as mumbles something incoherent. Ripples appear in the air in front of Karaaga, condensing to a single spot, trailing thin particles that erupt into a large azure dancing flames in front of her. She waves her hand, spreading the flames to the spectral phantasms, they burn in blue light, their outlines shimmering with heat.
 
The Pumera is frenzied and leaps on the mortally wounded Mordesh, puts its jaws over his throat, going in for the kill. But before the jaws can close Rocio summons what's left of his strength into a single illusionary blade. It penetrates the Pumera through the chest. The beast's head rears back in a scream and its jaw flies away completely as the bullets from Dax strike it's face. The Pumera looks in horror, realizing that it has lost just before the flaming spectral swarm strikes it. In a blinding flash of light, the surviving phantasms explode. The pumera writhes and roars and convulses. And then is sinks to the ground with a whine.
 
Daxterr gets up and tends to Rocio trying to give him strength but Rocio pushes him away. "Demmie!"
 
The Mordesh is losing both blood and Vitalus. Daxterr's eyes widen and whips out some tape,"Hurry! Bind over his wounds. Fast!"
 
Karaaga speaks in a halting whisper "No, not here..."	
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