Chapter 25 - A Brief Visit

Days 53-54

Awaking the next morning, the party once more found themselves enveloped in the ubiquitous fog of swamp vapours. Around them pulsed an electric blue light given off by the enormous tree that towered above them.

Their gnome guides were eager to see the end of this adventure, and refused to return through the deadly swamp. The party paid them their dues and sent them on their way to skirt the elven city and return to their home via the relative safety of the roads. The gnomes were reluctant to part with one of their boats, but Aldur and Leandrie were successful in haggling them down to 100gp, half of their original demand and likely still more than it was worth.

With the gnomes safely off, the party made their way closer to the elven city. Fog still shrouded the ground, but they found a small hill on a nearby island that offered a clear view above the mist. The city consisted of uncountable platforms, twining around a row of trees that stretched from east to west in a rough line. The platforms were connected by an eclectic variety of arching and hanging bridges, as well as stairways and ladders. A short distance to their east, the city parted to allow the passage of the headwaters of the Folyoba River, which flowed into the swamp, through the Gena Wastes, and eventually past Wasteward Keep.

All of the trees of the elven city were giants, stretching their canopies far above the party, but towering even above its companions was the glowing tree that had guided their way across the swamp. Up close, it seemed to pulse with energy. A low-pitched hum permeated the air and could be felt by the adventurers through the soles of their boots. Beneath the roiling fog, the waters around the city were being churned into waves.

After weighing their options for approaching the city, the party decided to make for the glowing tree, using the fog to cover the approach of their boat. As the boat drew closer to the base of the tree the humming grew in volume. Bringing the boat in close between two giant, buttres-like roots, they could see a shoreline before them, with a small channel of water contuing on towards a bright blue light at the base of the tree, brighter than the blue glow that permeated the rest of the tree. Turning the boat towards the channel, they began their approach, but soon became aware of large figures moving about in the mist before them.

To be completed as DM's time allows (definitely before campaign recommences in fall).

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