druidicdreams.bsky.social
The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness
» Firbolg vagabond
DNDRP | MVRP | written by bardlockcafe
» Story & Banter, Happy to plot.
» Current level: Druid 12 (3.5e)
art by AnaCarolina_Art
216 posts
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"Never mind.
She probably could manage it, so... watch out for that."
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There is a long, long pause, face twisting as they try to piece that together.
"...To be clear, [I] am not [the lake.] I am me."
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"I do not make myself known to many, but, well, you asked."
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"Something like that. I come and I go; for the moment, I am not yet needed elsewhere, and I can provide added stability to the greenery here."
Several months ago, an odd phenomenon had seen flora bloom around the lake. With spring, it's begun to come alive again.
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It will likely feed again soon, but it was good to know the summoned creatures held nutritional value. They reach over to fetch a small blanket and lay it over the creature.
"Rest, little one. You're giving us quite a bit to consider..."
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What would happen if they lit a fire before it? That's a question they'll leave unanswered for now, but they pull out a small, leather-bound notebook and scrawl down a few notes in a little-known language.
"Quite the clever little hunter, aren't you, young one?"
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Well, this was educational, if nothing else. Six swarms would give them quite a while to observe its growth, its demeanor and how that might shift.
"Do you know your name already, I wonder?"
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That's actually quite adorable. And it'll eat its fill one way or another, anyway.
They summon an Insect Swarm of locusts. Not quite the request, but they should give it some exercise and allow its caretaker a bit of rest.
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No I am not saying this because she tried to fish me yesterday.
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go to the circle-stones 'n go to another world before I transform- but what's the point in tryin'?
I tried to stop m'self from turnin' into a dragon before, 'n it just doesn't work. Like tryna stop yerself from fartin'. Eventually, yer gonna fart.
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It seems to them a good place to begin rebuilding Verone's confidence in herself. If their theory is correct, perhaps this could strengthen her will.
And if it doesn't, or that willpower is still not enough to hold back the curse - they still think she deserves to see herself in a better light.
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They consider her aspiration, and there's a quiet sense of approval as they nod.
"A simple goal, but an admirable one, by many measures. I wonder if focusing on that for a time would distract you from these worries. Your traveling companion is certainly no stranger to such work."
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it will always return, and without it we would find little respite from the day's troubles. It is a necessary part of our world, as anything else.
Perhaps it's as simple as their fear of the unknown, and what they cannot control. It's harder to stand against something you cannot touch or see."
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They can't help but chuckle softly. For all her perceived weaknesses, Verone's straightforward outlook was refreshing, at times. Perhaps that's why Esda's seeming disdain for her had chafed at them so.
"I admit I've never understood the phrase, or the aspiration. Darkness is not unnatural;
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But it feels important to try.
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what do you imagine you'd be doing? Or what would you [wish] to be doing? Out saving damsels, or defending the walls of a city against the darkness?"
There's a quiet smile in their eyes, gently beckoning Verone down the path they offer. Perhaps it won't cool her temper, or she'll think it foolish.
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Irritation twitches their ears, but they remain even, calm in their tone.
"Control is difficult to find when shame, guilt, and fear are all you are offered, all you know how to wield. With every struggle, trust in yourself feels further from reach. Tell me: if this had never fallen in your lap,
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"We keep talking about you by way of this curse; where can we find information about the dragon? How do we calm Verone so she doesn't turn into a dragon? Who will go with Verone in case she turns into a dragon?" And of course - those who are far more self-serving in their interests.
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and a long life on a difficult road. You should not have had to walk it alone."
She seeks answers, but what Esda suggested was in no way a certainty, and they will not offer false hope that might be snatched away at any moment. But her derision of Verone's weak will has set them wondering...
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and they lean on their staff thoughtfully.
"...In all my years - and there have been many, many years - I have never met someone so broken they could not be fixed. Perhaps the means were beyond their reach, or they did not have the hands to do it themselves. It is a great weight you have borne,
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In the aftermath of their enlightening conversation, there's a lingering worry that the Sundrinker's influence may push this thought further; that worry is the last thing Verone needs to hear right now, they decide. The tree behind them settles after they've passed through it,
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"Do you [wish] to rule, Verone? Is that the outcome you want, the dream you long to fulfill?"
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Let me bend down very very very very very far
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Or bolstering Verone herself against these incursions? I assume your plan holds more depth than stabbing the poor woman to carve out the searing darkness within her."
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The wilds to the north are largely uninhabited. I can send them there, and have faith that he can keep her attention when the time comes." And comes. And hopefully, not too far in the future, stops coming.
But one thing bothers them...
"What of the matter of separating the pair?
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They'd seen him at his worst - and at his best, a height they believe he no longer remembers.
"...He is not himself the wisest, nor the strongest or swiftest, but he is steadfast and fights until there is nothing left within him. He can buy time enough - and I can offer similar aid.
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The warrior I've charged with her care is..."
They often found it difficult to describe Lazarus, especially without screwing up with a rare irritation. Fond as they were of him, they'd also had to live with the man and fielded some of the most asinine questions known to mortals.
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even within the druid's lifetime? How many more had claimed it, only to fall to the machinations of Celestia - or even the Material Plane? It was no simple undertaking, but it could be done, if one were willing to pay the cost.
"How long would this matter take?
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"Gods rise and gods fall; divinity is a shorter-lived thing than the younger races tend to believe." Their prodding wit that pestered her throughout their first meeting has faded away, replaced by deep thought and a tone reflecting the respect of a peer.
How many had deities had lost their Spark,