All right, I'll be putting together an elven ranger.  I'm tempted to go with the recommended skills, feats, powers, etc. unless there are other recommendations.  It seems like Melora or Sehanine would be appropriate gods, though the Raven Queen would make an interesting character, the pitiless ranger type (but I don't see her as being an elven god).  I wouldn't mind starting from 1st level up, so I can grow with the character (also, 4e 1st level is supposed to play like 4th level from the previous editions anyway).  Any suggestions?  Where would this kind of character come from?

Aerandis is about 100 years old, just starting out in the world.  His family once lived in the cities 1000 years ago, but took up residence in the wilds on the edge of the region when humans encroached.  The family maintains an ancestral shrine within the city, making trips every so often (years, decades) to pay tribute and also pay the family of gnome care-takers who have watched the shrine over the years.  Aerandis is making his first post-adolescent trip, transporting wages (in a locked container) and non-monetary tribute to the shrine.  He visited once as a child, and the 10 year old gnome he became friends with -- Hobnobbin -- would be about 60 years old at this point.  He carries his bow for hunting and few other supplies, having joined with the caravan once he approached the city so he could pick up on some news of the world before he arrived.  With his family he had been somewhat sheltered, and he is excited to be able to travel and learn about the world outside of his woods and glen.

(Posted from pm -Leigh)

Right on exactly the kind of concept work we need. Minor suggestions for setting congruity (things you would know if you had a source book that is presently mia...)

Elven (as opposed to eldarian) "City dwellers " would likely be in the fey~lands ie. though a portal. With 4's distinction between elves and Eldarian(sp?) Eldarian are assuming the cultural identity of the (feudal japan esque) elves identified in the source material. I.E. katana are Eldarian blades.

If your going for the "wood elf ranger type" that would be elf for sure.

His reasoning for being with the caravan may still be the same though ancestor worship is more in line with Eldarian. The full Classic DnD Elven pantheon will be used for elves (in addition to some druidic leanings) Why he choose a portal nearer to the caravans origin than its destination may be an interesting point to cotemplate and allow for some character development possibilities.

Modifications after browsing the campaign source material:

Aerandis is from the city of Eytherash'ana (The Forests of the Bow-Makers), in a large expanse of woods roughly between the cities of Hilderbrand and Wyverndale.  The city is woven into the living canopy of trees, and due to its organic nature it could be easily overlooked by a wandering human (if one was unfortunate enough as to wander into an elven city!) As the name of the city implies, a good proportion of the residents are trained as bowyers in addition to other necessary crafts.

As a child Aerandis was taught to make and use a bow.  His mother gave him the child's name of Nailith'ah (crafty oak child) due to his amusing decorative carving.  He carries the curved carving knife that she gave him at all times. 

As he grew up he learned to track and hunt beasts of progressive difficulty for food and defense of the city.  His keen eye brought him to the point where he gained archery skills surpassing that of most of his peers (injuring a few egos in the process, in that competitive way of youth).  However, the relative safety of his home woods to the larger world has caused him to somewhat underestimate the ease with which unknown beasts may be dispatched.

For the last several years Aerandis has been restless, looking to explore more of the world outside of his expanse of woods.  Due to that, his elders decided to give him a few tasks.  The first one is to travel to a specific grove dedicated to Obad-Hai, which is located near the Fey Fields.  There he is to offer up his services for several years to the druids who guard the area, in particular a druid named Nerisella, who is a friend of the family.  When his period of service is over, he is to return with some of the fine arrow-wood that the region is known for.



Well, I'm all idea'd out for the moment.  Hopefully some folks are inspired for their own characters!

Aerandis knows that the druid Nerisella can not wait any longer for his arrival.  He leaves his companions with some regret, having had his first taste of adventure since leaving the woods of his home.  The final shots he had made with his bow into the undead wizard were more masterful than any he had made hunting beasts in Eytherash'ana. 

In truth, Aerandis believes that the party will be in sore need of his bow-arm after he leaves.  However, he still remains hopeful of Nerisella allowing him to return to this quest once he reports what is happening in this area.

Aerandis travels with all haste to the grove north of the Fey Feilds. Nerisella is as always eager for visitors. Though Aerandis looks worn from the road no mention of it is made of it until he has had a meal of roast squash flavored with forest orchid petals.  As Aerandis relates the tale of his travels to the grove, Nerisella calmly takes in every detail showing no emotion or hint of surprise.  "Vast packs of wolves often gather when dark servants awake. Wolves aren't evil themselves though they have few defenses against the dark servant's power.  As long as the phylactery is destroyed that dark one should not be able to dominate another fool. The mage you met seems to have the matter well in hand, he knew better than to touch the evil blade. I must meet with the circle elders and discuss this, if one of these servants is back then others may be able to follow. "

For three days Aerandis enjoys the comforts of the Feyfeilds. Nerisella seems distracted though. On the third evening she speaks "We have heard of a massing of ravens near Brix. That is where your friends have traveled to...correct?" She proceeds knowing the answer in advance. "Ravens themselves are no cause for alarm though they often serve to hide.....other things. I imagine your friends haven't destroyed that blade yet. I hope they do so quickly it serves not only as a focus for the evil wizard but also as a reserve of power for..." Her voice trails off.
" I, we must ask a task of you and you may do well to find your former companions and request their help. Tell them what you will of this task. An ancient shrine to 'The Bringer of Darkness' appears to have found a new priest near where you encountered the risen dark servant. Otherwise the lich would not have had enough strength to dominate the Ogre. While the coven is probably not strong yet, from the gathering wolves it appears they have a foothold at least. We are thankful they did not know to find the blade least the situation would be dire, still we need you to discover the alter to Nerul and destroy it. Here.."

Nerisella gives Aerandis a small pouch of powder silver and what appears to be a golden acorn inscribed with runes. "Go to the Scrying pool you found it has some taint to Nerul which we can use to our advantage. Inscribe a prayer to Obad-hai in silver powder around the edge of the pool and make sure the silver completes a full circle. Then toss this talisman into the water and invoke Obad-hai. A gate will open which will allow you to pass to the shrine you seek.  End whatever dark ritual is powering the coven and the Druidic circle will be most grateful."

It has been a refreshing few days for Aerendis, as he rested from his travels and restored his spirit.  However, even in the Feyfeilds, the recent troubles with the dark wizard were never far from his thoughts. 

When Nerisella finally speaks, Aerendis listens with no outward side of trepidation, but internally he feels wary about meddling with dark gods.  Beasts have fallen easily to his arrows, but in his recent encounter with the wizard he and his companions only seem to have destroyed the outer shell of some much greater power.  However, his devotion to the wilds and to Obad-Hai reinvigorates him and he resolves to continue, accepting the magical items from Nerisella 

"I will do as you say, Nerisella.  My recent companions seem good enough to try and destroy the dagger, but I don't know if they will succeed.  As for me, I will do everything I can to destroy this enemy to nature."

Aerandis thanks Nerisella for her hospitality and for her acceptance of him as a ward of sorts, then prepares to travel back to the site of his recent encounter.  He prepares a full quiver of arrows and extra bowstrings (how shameful was breaking a bowstring in that cellar!), and carefully wraps fruits, nuts and other wild edibles in some large flexible leaves.  Putting his remaining adventuring gear in a small pack (and carefully stowing the magical items), he starts to make his way back to the remains of the wizard's tower.

However, as Aerendis nears the edge of the grove, Nerisella is there to greet him.

She says, "I know you are confident with your bow, but be wary.  The powers at work here are far stronger than a single elf.  You would be wise to gather aid before attempting your task."

Aerendis replies, "Perhaps I've only been lucky in the past, but I will take your advice.  I will see if my companions from before will support me in this task.  In any case, it's a long road and I should be going."

He thanks Nerisella again, and sets off again with an altered course towards Brix.  It will be a few days before Aerandis can arrive, so he hopes his companions don't get into too much trouble with the locals, as they did in the last village.

Traveling through the wilds to Brix ,Aerandis comes across the remains of a small Merchant caravan. Three wagons fixed with yoke for oxen are overturned in a campsite near the caravan route. There appear to be no survivors. The grass is slick with blood and it appears that wolves have overrun the camp and picked it clean. The cargo (mostly grain) appears ruined, or not worth carrying.  Still two days from Brix, it seemed worth trying to track the wolves but as before the pack breaks up and disappears into constituent groups after a couple hours.

Seeing that there is nothing to be done at the caravan, Aerandis gathers himself and continues on the road while considering the situation.

Aerandis has become increasingly troubled by the unnatural behavior of these wolves, combined with past events.  He hopes that his companions are still alive and uncorrupted by any association with the dagger they were carrying, as it seems that he is going to need the aid of everyone to eliminate the coven.

Aerandis travels another day and a half towards Brix and finds a two more scenes of similar carnage. The night before his arrival at Brix he encounters a small train of travelers. The travelers sit around a camp fire which is shielded from the wind by their circled wagons. Their is song in the air dancing and merriment. They welcome Aerandis as a weary traveler and bode him to avail himself of some simple food. An old lady in a flowing lace gown, silver earrings dangle from her ears and a bandana ties back her dirty blonde hair. Wolves howl in the darkness.

"Worry not of the callers in the night. They won’t bother our kind nor you while you travel with us. The darkness has a new servant near here. His power bends the callers to his will, still our guides bring us to paths that they can not follow." She looks to the stars and sighs. She looks across the fire and into Aerandis's eyes. The light from the flames casts shadows which dance across her face though her gaze does not waver.
" I know of your mission. Have you noticed the pack disappears with the dawn? They go to their unnatural den in the forest of shades. You should be wary. The druid’s magic may pierce the veil to the land of the temple but you will need face the callers of the night long before you confront the servant of the bringer.”

“I see the questions in your eyes, but enough for now eat, drink and your questions will be answered in good time.”

Aerandis spends the evening in good company and as morning comes and shakes off the trance from the first good rest he has had since before leaving the druid’s grove he finds himself alone in a small field. It appears that the sun has been up for a few hours. The waist high grass is untrammeled around him and there is no sign of the campsite or the travelers he reveled with the night before. The landscape of hills stretch out in front of him to the west.  If his bearings are correct he is but a few hours travel to Brix.

From the looks of things breaking up the cultists at the shrine had no effect on the wolves. Still it seems more than a coincidence that the exit from the shadowfall placed you on a hill top above the caravan route in time for you to witness another attack.

Level-up to 2nd

Watching the way Nadarresh handled himself with two combatants at once has inspired Aerandis in his archery craft.  While the party is resting, he draws his bow and unfocuses his eyes, letting his awareness rest on two trees.  In a flash, he fires two arrows, and both come to rest within a second of each other in their respective targets.  [retrain to Twin Strike from Careful Attack]

Meanwhile, his elven claustrophobia continues to manifest itself in his skills.  If enemies cluster in and somehow are able to actually strike him, his twitchy alertness enables him to jump back like a surprised squirrel. [utility power: Yield Ground (shift up to 3 squares after melee hit)]

Finally, when he occasionally feels that he may flub a shot, something in his wild nature has started to come out, giving him a tremendous shot of confidence so that he shoots better than he could have before [feat: Wild Elf Luck (add 1d4 to elven accuracy)]

Aerandis will travel to the Fey Feilds to meet with Nerisella and contemplate how to pursue his task of restoring the balance of nature to the region (this may involve Nerisella being at a loss and directing him to take a several day fast and vision search to find out what the spirits of the land know about what the source of the troubles, as well as learning how to communicate with the spirits of the dead to maybe find the origin of the dead spy bird [Spirit Talker feat]).   I will return to Brix in about 1 and a half weeks (unsure of exact distance) to rejoin the party.

Aerandis finds his thoughts rambling onto the subject of Zarb Zarba, who he has heard the party talk about.  He has the suspicious feeling that this unfortunate man was waylaid by evil forces.  He sounded as if he was a man of some will but also with a great desire for revenge.  As is the way with some magical types, he may have been offered the power to obtain this revenge in exchange for aligning his soul with dark powers.  Even gods need physical vessels on earth with which to work their dark ways.

A brief overview of Aerandis' activities from the morning following the fire:

He travels to the fey feilds to meet with Nerisella.  He tells her what he knows and shows her the body of the dead spying bird.  She doesn't know where the bird came from, nor does she have the ability to speak with its dead spirit.  She directs Aerendis to a shaman who might be able to help him find out its origin.  Aerendis travels a day to find the shaman.  The shaman sees some potential in Aerendis, and directs him to attempt to communicate with the bird himself.  In the the shaman's lodge, he gives Aerendis a bit of sacred plant.  Aerandis drifts off and awakens to find himself in a den of earth.  There he meets a very large badger (the size of a medium bear, or normal sized human) who speaks to him in a rough human voice.  Among other things, the badger lets Aerandis know that he is a protector spirit, and that Aerandis may call on him for assistance when it is needed.
[ooc: The information Aerandis gains is left to the discretion of the DM]

(ok retraining... spirit companion is a badger.)

Nerisella is thankful for the information and rewards Aerandis with a staff of ironwood (suitable for the manufacture of an enchanted bow.)

"That foolhardy Demlos had good intentions in life. It is a shame that his spirit has not found peace and must be bound by his clan's totem to rest.  Still, the spying ravens and the drowned mage's guild apprentices make it fairly clear who is behind the awakening of these restless spirits the question is...Why? They are expensive undertakings and while mages can be spiteful it seems disrupting trade to and From Brix is a lot to go through for some personal grudge. Someone has much to gain from the interruption of trade and though I am curious, as long as they Fey wolves no longer disturb the natural balance it is not my concern. Thank you for your efforts return to me for council on you next visit."

Aerandis thanks Nerisella for her advice and the gift of ironwood.  Although his task for her is done, he still feels the need to aid the companions and friends he has made during his adventuring.  The larger questions of their quest still nag at him: We Jas is involved (perhaps the main instigator), but how? [We always kill the people before they can rant about what's going on.]  What did the mage's guild do to offend anyone?  As well as the issues Nerisella brought up.  It seems as if a larger scheme is coming out from the party's investigations.  It is all somewhat confusing for Aerandis, who never had considered such grand schemes in the forests of his home.  He hopes that when the party comes together they can all figure out what is going on.

On the way back to meet the party, Aerandis considers the process by which one creates an enchanted bow.  He needs to carve the bow, needs particular components, and needs someone to perform the ritual.  Perhaps Dayereth would know how to do this?  Aerandis considers the shape of the wood and resolves to begin working on it during his resting periods.

Finally, Aerandis has felt his reflexes becoming sharper with the frequency of battle in the past few weeks.  As his friendship has grown with his companions, he has determined to do more in support of their defense whenever he can. [Skill: disruptive strike, interrupt an enemy blow on another party member]

((It will take sometime working on the staff to be able to carve it into a bow. A discount of 500 gp on the costs of the enchant magic item ritual is essential what you will get. Dayereth can learn the ritual at 4th I think and can make a bow of upto his level with that ritual. Once you decide what kind of bow you want, any component you come across that might be helpful will provide a discount to the enchanting costs. Dragon's blood might be relevant depending on the type of breath weapon etc..))

During the Journey to the well of souls Aerandis can sense a growing silence in natural spiritual activity. Since his experience with the druids he is able to discern and to commune with local spirits. As they get closer to the temple, natural spirits become less prevalent and those that appear seem agitated.  Another reality shows itself and Aerandis can see  the occasional forgotten soul traveling on pilgrimage to the well. After passing some choose to linger on the material plane and become Ancestral spirits, others simply cannot find the pathway to the afterlife. The Well of souls serves as a second chance for spirits to pass on into the realms of the gods. All spirits thrust into the well are pulled through the astral sea to face judgment by We Jas. Primal spirits have nothing to fear from this though the tortured souls in the dagger carried by Nadarresh may not wish to hear their destination and know which deity if any claims them. Any Eldarian  souls might not relish missing the opportunity to serve their clan as ancestral spirits.  Still there seems little choice, In time the dagger would covert the souls to necrotic energy consuming them. The well seems to be the only honorable alternative. Still the enchantment in the dagger would remain. Perhaps he could convince Dayereth to disenchant the item and use the Residuum  to defray the cost of enchanting his bow. Nadarresh might be willing to give up the item if  the repercussions of its function could be explained to him.

While the the rest of the party is deciding on which route to travel to the Drakespire, Aerandis  thinks he should consult the spirits for advice. He steps off the trail as the party moves east back to Brix. He find a secluded glade with a stream and begins to slip into trance hopeful that the water spirit might impart something helpful Unfortunately not every comunion with the spirits brings useful information. Instead of contacting a river spirit Aerandis is confronted with a vision of a small fey-drake. This cat -sized dragon with butterfly wings floats in front of him. These fey-drakes spirits are sometimes the messengers for primal fey lords. Perhaps he has been following you since you have left Nerisella.

"You shouldn't ah opened the box. Long shadows hide too much.   Zazoo is waiting for you he knows your coming. You shouldn't ah opened it... The spire-lord  knows now. Maybe the watcher too. The imp might know.  You've  seen the cruel  imp? He tells the watcher everything. He ignores us though. He might warn zazoo. The imp doesn't know that zazoo already expects you... that's our secret and now yours.  The imp might not like zazoo. The watcher will not be happy with the imp... fairwinds.."

The trance ends and the vision fades from Aerandis's eyes.

Aerandis knows that he will have to move quickly to catch up with his companions, if only to make sure they don't die without his arrows to drive back their foes.  However, he appreciates having gained at least some knowledge during his spirit communion, confusing though as it may be.  The box must refer to what the amulet was contained in, he thinks.  The other party members may be able to make sense of the information.
Aerandis gathers his supplies, his quiver and bow and departs the glade.  He knows the general direction the party went, and in any case, how hard can it be to track the only humanoid in the land with dragon shaped feet?

Aerandis had remained in Brix for an extra half of a day after he realized that his current bow had developed a small crack (and could break explosively if used in battle).  The stave he had been carving into a new bow is almost finished so he decides to complete the work.  It is not yet enchanted, and he still hopes to convince Dayereth and Nadarresh to use the magical residue from the soul stealing dagger for his bow (two birds with one arrow, as they say). 

After nearly a day of travelling he crests a hill where there is a small clearing through the trees, allowing him to see for some distance.  He can see a river in the distance.  More alarming however is a swarming mass of creatures coming in his direction.  They're small creatures but there are very many of them, and they're very agitated. After a few minutes, Aerandis notices the glint of scales reflecting on the sunlight off of these creatures.  He watches them from afar as the swarm over a what he thinks is a deer, but what later proves to be a pile of bones.  From this evidence, it appears that his current tracking strategy is going to be upset.  Instead, he decides to angle north to avoid these creatures.  He will run straight into the river, and then he can easily follow the river down to the bridge and take up the trail again, hopefully meeting them on the following day.

While somewhat uncomfortable in city dwelling the winter winds make the walls of the inn a fair argument for compromise.  Stories of caravan travelers bring news from afar.

One tale of interest is the story of a cowherd who learned from a Sheppard that a caravan master encountered a fire-cloud dragon in the Long wood. Apparently the beast some 80 hands tall had demanded tribute to pass the woods and then ate the oxen pulling the cart after tribute was dully paid!

The story brought a smile to Aerandis.  80 hands would almost have to  be an ancient  and Ancients would know better than to travel so close to Eytherash'ana and would not settle for Oxen in any case.  20 hands I could believe. Still the Athem’eliat (Green dragon) have not been far enough  west in the woods to harass caravans in a tree’s age.

Aerandis notices that Naderresh's condition continues to worsen. He appears beyound his skill to help.

“Nerisella could likely help him.. though one does not ask favors of the Grove guards lightly. Still this fever will likely be the death of him unless he gets help. “

Well, I enjoyed contemplating the technical detail (probably more Eberron-ish than Wyverndale-ish though).  So no actual acid bow exists, so I figure (if permitted) that the bow would duplicate the level 3 Flameburst +1 bow (Player's Handbook 1 pg. 234.), just substitute 'acid' for 'fire':

Daily, Minor Action. The next ranged basic attack you make with this weapon before the end of your turn becomes a burst 1 centered on the target. Use your normal attack bonus for the basic attack, but against Reflex. Instead of normal damage, each target hit takes ongoing 5 fire acid damage (save ends).
You pull a special arrow with an empty reservoir at its tip, and let it fill with acid.  Upon impact with the target, the reservoir bursts, spraying acid on nearby foes.

I think Acid is a bit more exotic than fire damage so I would bump it up a level to LV4 item. Also note that as a daily its power use is tracked and counts against your Magic item dailies allotment (which may or may not be a concern for you.)

While in the Feyfeilds, Aerandis asks Nerisella if she has heard anything about the rumors of the dragon.  Specifically, he wants to know if the dragon has approached the areas where his family lives, and how the fight may go.

"It is a bold dragon indeed that would venture that far into our territory if the rumors are true!  I wouldn't want to leave my family unaided if it was more than they could handle by themselves."

Nerisella looks blankly at Aerandis. There have always been dragons in the long wood and likely there will always be dragons there. I pay little attention to the forests north of the River Kelix though if indeed an ancient worm is restless and explanding its realm westward it may consume lands held by your kin. Still Treeshore (the pasture lands between the east and west branches of the longwood forest and through which runs the highroad between Hilderbrant and Holderness) would likely keep the forest drakes at bay if only because they prefer not to be so exposed.

Fret not. If There is little you could do in anycase."

((Flashback))

Nerisella places her hand on on Aerandis's shoulder.

"I am sorry for your friend. Looking at his wounds he walked a harsh road in life. The plague is no pleasant way to die perhaps it is best that he rest now. "

She gauges his expression of doubt "I know..of course you wish to do what is right. I will attempt to recall his spirit though I will need many components, the first of which is a jar of spiritual essence. A friend of the grove Garum will have some on hand. As you visit him I will research what else is needed."

"Remember to commune with the spirits, their guidance can help you maintain balance."

Aerandis looks at the magical stone with a confused expression.  He has limited understanding of the workings of magical items, but he still tries hard to give Dayereth an answer.

"This stone must have great power.  Maybe, I can think of two things that you might be able to do with a bow.  You could possibly make the bow much stronger, capable of tearing through the flesh of our enemies [wounding weapon +1, level 4, gives -1 saving throw for ongoing damage in general, and as a daily deals 5 ongoing damage].  Another thing I think you could be able to do would be to take the power of the sky, the lightning, and put it into the bow.  It is a sky rock after all. [lightning weapon, free action change damage type to lightning, daily deal 1d6 burst 2 around target].  Whichever one you feel that you have the strength, ability, and resources to do, I would appreciate."

*edit [I guess that means that the level 4 weapon sounds good, level 5 would be better possibly, but we might only have the resources for a level 4 item.  First weapon is adventurer's vault, second is player's handbook]

[rp of hybrid conversion]

As Aerandis descends into the base of the great tree, he feels a surge of primal energy.  The connection he feels to his spirit companion becomes something more tangible than the weak link he felt before.  Now he knows that his spirit companion is always nearby and never really departs when he disappears.  As the connection has grown stronger, so has his ability to manifest the spirit badger.  The manifestation, though still incorporeal, is now able to inflict more tangible damage as the spirit matter coalesces into claws and teeth.

Dayereth considers the options.

"I think for you, the wounding ability would work best with the prescision of your archery."

Dayereth finds chalk, a knife, mortar and pestle, hammer, chisel, paintbrush and mystic oils from the shelves of the healer's workshop.  He draws a circle on the floor with the chalk, big enough for two people to sit in. He then draws arcane runes around the edges of the circle.

He takes the mortar and pestle and places it on the workbench, and pours in some of the oils, then takes a chisel to the sky-stone and cuts off a precise chunk, adding it to the oils in the mortar and pestle.  He grinds them until they begin to form a thick paste. 

He calls Aerendis to his side.

"I need some of your blood."

He takes the knife and cuts Aerendis carefully first on his right palm, then his left, letting a few drops into the mortar and pestle from each hand. As the last drops fall from Aerendis' left hand, the mixture turns from a dull brown to a bright red.

"That's good, bandage yourself and join me in the circle."

Dayereth takes out his ritual book and reads over the ritual for enchantment.  He then takes the bow and using the paintbrush, forms arcane symbols across the front of the bow with the mixture in the mortar and pestle.  He is careful to use enough for each symbol so that when he is done forming the necessary symbols, he has used all the mixture.

Dayereth then takes the bow and the ritual book into the circle. He hands the bow to Aerendis.

"The bow will gain it's power from your ability, I will act like a conduit, the magical mixture will be the glue.  While I form the ritual, you must concentrate on how you would use the bow, and visualize your enemy being greviously wounded by a deadly shot. No matter what happens, continue to visualize this.  At the end of the ritual, before it's complete, you may name the weapon, if you wish."

Dayereth then begins.  As Aerendis holds the bow in front of him and concentrates, Dayereth chants in the language of magic and make strange motions with his hands over the bow.  As the ritual progresses, the symbols glow with a red light and the air seems to crackle.  The rest of the party can smell ozone and blood in the air.

With a shout, Dayereth ends the chant. The symbols no longer glow, and no longer appear to be painted on the wood, rather they have become part of the wood, as if the wood itself was miscolored in the pattern of the language of arcana.

"The magic is no longer separate from the wood of the bow, it has joined it, but not completely.  For the next five days, whenever you kill with the bow, we will do a shortened version of the ritual.  At the end the characters will become part of the bow and will only be visible when the power of the bow is used. 

You can give the bow a name now, if you wish.  Afterwards, I will bring the ritual to a close."

Aerandis takes in a deep breath of fresh air to cleanse the damp smell of mushrooms, rot, and dark places from his lungs.  He feels more at home with the sights here than he has since he started his journey. 

"We certainly don't want to anger a whole forest.  I'm not sure we could escape alive in that case.  Give me a minute to have a better look at what is ahead of us."

Scanning the canopy, he looks for signs of the treetop dwellings typical of the wood-elves from this part of the world.  The dim twilight appears to his eyes as bright as full sun would appear to a human.  As he is looking, he also attempts to get a sense of intent from the forest, using his growing connection to the primal spirit world.  He tries to distinguish areas of dark, malignant intent from those of solely natural intent [perception, speak with spirits].

While consulting the spirits the dryad appears from a windswept tree growing from the cracks in the side of the cliff face. She seems but a figment of her self, translucent and wispy. Likely she as far from her home tree as her abilities allow.

“You have found the hidden forest which pains me but I am sure you mean to do good. Be cautious when entering the Woad’s realm. While he has clearly gone mad, he is a formidable opponent. Even the forest worm paid the lord of the wood tribute when he arrived.  The worm’s tribute included as much of that star as it could carry. Do not bring the rest of it to the Woad it may only drive him further into madness. I am hopeful that he may yet be redeemed.

The waters of the village have been poisoned with the seeds of a cursed tree. This tree must lie somewhere in the hidden forest. Find this tree and burn it to the ground. The curse may thus be broken. Avoid the woad and the forest-worm whose guile brought this madness to the forest.  The deceiver’s lair is in a cavern by the base of the northern wall where to water falls and exits the forest. The tree is near there. Be wary, while his breath can not harm either my or the woad’s woody minions, it is deadly to those of the flesh."

The wispy figure flows into a knot in the twisted wood and vanishes.

Aerandis' new theme song:
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A heroic end... trying to drag the bodies of his fallen friends to safety.