Quercuis

## Day 35-41 – The fourth week in Northlake

Most of Querius’ time is spent in the usual tasks of maintaining the Defiance shrine and it’s environs, whilst chatting with your fellow devotees. It turns out that some of them have journeyed North up to Far Haven, generally working their passage in a merchants caravan. It seems that to many of the common folk in Northlake, Far Haven is seen as exotic and a place to visit – although few actually get to do so. Those that have been there describe a place that is somewhat less civilised than Northlake, and not necessarily somewhere that they would visit twice.

It is late on the second day that Golderod appears in the gardens, he apologises but your meeting will have to be early tomorrow and having nothing better to do you accept.

The next morning, you arrive at the shrine early and with a few minutes Golderod appears and suggests you take a walk around the gardens together. The ‘walk’ is obviously a pretext for Golderod to review the boundaries of the shrine, as he often stops at points and either casts a spell or makes a note on a piece of parchment he is carrying.

Golderod: “So I promised you some time, unfortunately not as much time as I had in mind, but here we are – first let me know your thoughts, concerns and queries and I will see where I am able to help”

Golderod: “Clearsight eh! Another one of Olg’s pet theories, I swear that the man has a silver tongue and could make you believe that night was day if he put his mind to it. If he spent less time frequenting the Inns and Taverns and more time preaching his faith would be much stronger in the city than it is. As I said last time, I am aware that there are many things that are somehow hidden from me, but I put no credence in this magical clouding of vision and insight that some people are, for whatever reason, able to see through. If the Elves were so powerful that they could invoke magic that simply transported them all away and made everyone else forget about them, I fail to see how this fractured realm was able to resist their invasion. In some ways this is as fanciful as theory as that once held by a small faction in the Church, their belief that the Elves were the true guardians of nature and the balance – well look how true that turned out to be!”

Quercius shows Golderod the drawing of the Brooch.

Golderod: “….and you got this from one of the so called Ogres?”

Quercius: “Yes, we believed it to be a shaman of some form.”

Golderod: “….I will show you something at the end of this boundary tour.”

Golderod: “The Centaurs are a noble race, gentle but warlike, wise but playful, their faith in Wyldwood is well known. In the Church they are seen as prime examples of our determination to resist and destroy the abomination of undeath as epitomised by Ghoulagabba. The shifting animals images that are mentioned in the tale refer to Wyldwood Avatars, if you were a priest you would soon be coming into this knowledge yourself.”

Golderod: “To be honest, I am not certain as to how long the stone you refer to has been here, it is certainly very old. Each of the 7 pilgrimage sites has a similar stone with identical engravings, although the one at The White Tree is noticeable older than the others. All are allowed to worship at the shrines although only the truly faithful are allowed entry to the inner sanctums, and so only followers of Wyldwood can complete the pilgrimage.”

Golderod: “I haven’t heard the Gods of Saratan mentioned for many many years, it’s another myth or legend about Elven history where they were involved in a great conflict against a chaotic horde led by Saratan and a pantheon of demigods. Since Elves are now known to be real, I would guess there is some element of truth in this myth, but who is to say how much?”

Golderod: “Sorry, I have no knowledge as regards the shrines of the Elven goddess, I hadn’t heard about this theory of 5 being a significant number to the Elves either. I assume it is just a coincidence that we regard only completing 5 of the pilgrimage sites a bad omen.”

Golderod: “I never met Bez Drock myself, I was only a child when he pillaged our shrine in Far Haven. From what I have heard, he was an honourable man as nearly all senior Shanah priest are. I had heard rumours that he is still alive, but if so I would imagine he is getting on a bit.”

Golderod: “Well Totems and Avatars have been around for a long long time, familiars though in their current form are a more recent innovation by the arcane classes. If I remember correctly, the secrets of their binding was first discovered up in the Blue Crystal Spire in Dalzon, you would have to ask someone who knows more but again from recollection, it took a lot of effort to prise the secrets out of that tower. Personally, I am obviously far more in favour of spirits that cooperate freely or are provided as a boon from your faith, the concept of binding a spirit for personal power and gain feels slightly wrong.”

The tour of the boundary finished, Golderod leads you back to that central stone, then carefully she begins lifting away the moss and grass at its base. The stone obviously is taller that it first appears, just the base has become overgrown. There is another carving at the base of the stone, which shows a similar sign to that of the brooch, there is also a repeat of the same figures all facing away from the sign, although one of the humanoids could appear to be looking back.

Golderod: “Strange isn’t it? I have no idea what this means, although I have always interpreted it as the animals and people rejecting whatever the sign means in favour of the Oak Tree, symbol of Wyldwood. If I am right then this brooch has some religious meaning, and I would be very cautious.”

Golderod: “Anyhow, I have to go now, there are some visitors coming to the city in the next couple of weeks and there are many arrangements to be made.”

## Day 28-34 – The third week in Northlake

Another week at the shrine, and after another 5 days finally gets to meet Golderod. The initial meeting is simply an exchange of greetings, however Golderod returns later that day and invites Quercius to join the evening meal inside the temple grove.

The meal turns out to be a very casual affair, with Golderod and three other Wyldwood priests, talk at the table is generally light and concerns how the church will support the upcoming planting season, the health of the Defiance gardens etc.

Once the meal is finished, Quercius is invited to remain behind with Golderod.

Golderod: “A couple of your friends arrived yesterday, I though you might like to meet them.”

Quercius: “Sorry, you have me at a disadvantage”

Golderod: “Follow me.”

Golderod leads the way towards the very centre of the shrine, and up to the huge central Oak tree. He then lays his right hand on the tree and a shimmering portal opens up, revealing spiral stairs leading down. He gestures for Quercius to enter.

The stairs descend in a spiral for about 25’, at the bottom is an archway that leads into a medium sized cavern. At the centre of the cavern is a clump of gorse, in full bloom – with bright yellow flowers that seem to glow in the dim light. The floor of the cavern is a verdant wildflower meadow, flowers closed in the evening seeming light. Sitting cross legged before the clump of gorse are two figures that rise to their feet as Quercius and Golderod enter. The two figures are Kinogel and Kvasir…

Kinogel (with a big grin on his face): “Fancy meeting you here.”

Kvasir says something unintelligible.

Two junior priests appear as if from nowhere with a small camping table and four chairs, the table is then laid out with glasses and a decanter of wine. Everyone takes a seat.

Golderod: “Kinogel and Kvasir arrived a couple of days ago, and noticed you working in the gardens. They mentioned you to me, and have filled me in a little on what brings you here.”

Kinogel: “You can probably guess where we are off to next?”

Quercius: “Norport?”

Kinogel: “Gottit in one – have some wine!”

Golderod: “What I fail to understand is why you and your friends in particular. My understanding is that you were picked out by one of the Sky Knights, Sir Cagrun I believe, but I see no logic in his choices.”

Quercius: “The phrase he used, if I remember correctly, was potential.”

Golderod: “Which tells us nothing, would you mind telling us your tale from when you first arrived in Braerk?”

You recount the story of your travels for the past 5 weeks or so, with no interruptions from any of the priests.

Quercius: “…and so now we plan to move up to Far Haven, to see what is left of the Wyldwood library there and investigate further.”

Golderod: “Hmm, I sense that there is something fundamentally hidden from me, not by you but I do not sense any malicious intent here. What I will say is that Alvera is staking a lot on his current strategy and has raised many eyebrows with his agreement to a cease fire with the Empire. He has his supporters, and his opponents, and I suspect that your group being thrown into play is a move by one or the other group – although which one or is it a third group. I simply loathe politics at the best of times. My suggestion would be to stay as invisible as possible, unless or indeed until you surface something that you deem to be extremely important for the future of the kingdom.”

Golderod: “Anyhow, I might be able to provide information that helps you and I have a spare hour – so let us enjoy the wine and I will answer questions.”

**(Fact sheet: Far Haven – The Wyldwood Church)**

Golderod: “Now Northlake#Shan Swordbearer Shan and I have often discussed what happened at Far Haven, and have never really managed to achieve any insight into the reasons behind the conflict. However Shan did let slip one evening that he understood there to be a Wyldwood Priest, name of Ownen who was at the side of the First Sword and betrayed his fellow Priests. If the name is correct, then by coincidence – or possibly not – one of the head researchers at Far Haven was also known as Ownen.”

You arrive back at the Falling Star late that evening, Golderod has indicated that he will make some time for you next week so you need to get your thoughts and questions in order for that meeting.

## Day 21-27 – The second week in Northlake

Another week at the shrine, still no meeting with Golderod unfortunately.

More interesting snippets about Wyldwood though.

## Day 14-20 – The first week in Northlake

Spends her entire week at the Shrine of Defiance, initially she is pretty much ignored beyond the acceptance of offerings and standard blessings. With patience and continued attendance she gradually works her way into the the workings of the shrine and begins to get involved as a volunteer in the maintenance and running of the Shrine and its gardens. There are around 15 priests and acolytes at the temple, led by Golderod – although during the first week she does not manage to talk to the High Priest at all.