Help Needed

So, I don't know where else to be posting this or asking about it, but are trees supposed to MOVE? Not in a wind-through-the-branches way, but actually move and reach for folk?
Because I definitely saw one do that. And before you say anything, no I was not drunk. Nor had I eaten any swamp mushrooms.

And there were some skeleton-looking things all covered with moss and vines that I saw peeking through the woods? Is that a thing?

All I know is, there is way too much of this for one lone forager to deal with. Oh, and they might have followed me towards the proper. Couldn't shake em! No matter how well I hid, they always seemed to find me!

- Alexi

This is certainly the place to ask for help. Trees should not be walking unless they're Dryads, and then again not reaching to grab people unless for help. The way youre saying it though, seems to insinuate they were trying to harm others.

From where are you coming Alexi?

Alexi,

Are you familiar with corpse trees? It’s possible this tree might be one, do you have any additional details perhaps we can search the area from which you came?

In Service,

Coming in from Pendarvin area, Not gonna lie, I'm pretty spooked right now.

-Alexi

Corpse WHATNOW?!

-Alexi

We will notify the nobility of Pendarvin and see that the matter is looked into. In the meantime, I’m happy to see that you have somewhere safe to stay should you wish it so. And a Corpsetree.....it’s like a tree in the normal sense however it is capable of moving under its owner power and is rather carnivorous. They need to consume flesh in order to sustain themselves. Rather dangerous and also quite rare to be so close to the proper .

You said you saw skeletal faces in the Woodlines surrounding this tree?


In Service,

Yeah, like skeletons covered in vines and moss and leaves and things. Which were also moving.

-Alexi

This was an odd thing to wake up to.

Do you mean around the statehouse here in the Proper or in the lands of Pendarvin.

Either way, who would be willing to assist with a patrol?

I'm glad you're safe Alexi and thank you for the information.

-Ilana Darkwood-Zero
Lady of Pendarvin

If it's from the statehouse area here in the Proper I can check it out. Try and figure out what it is. Can also check in with the local fauna. They may not KNOW what it is, but if theres something that doesn't belong there they'll know that much.

Khala Stormbringer

That sounds like the general description of a type of critter that was thought destroyed years ago. They multiplied greatly, looked like skeletons animated by vines, and were thought to be nature's response to mankind's encroachment. I forget the name we gave it, but it was a grave threat indeed back then.

Looking through the old messages on the board I found a possible reference in November 1216. Guard correspondence warning of carnivorous plants that could assimilate body parts and move on their own. I remember fighting the beasts, even to the point of having to destroy a bridge into the Proper to keep them out. They were considered at the time an existential threat to all mammalian life. They were somehow linked I believe to Necrophitus, and from the rumors I have heard lately, we may be seeing more of his legacy.

For all we know it's just corpse trees or lanius or something like that. Nothing we haven't handled before. No worries. Although so long as it's in the Proper I still want to check it out to be sure. Skeletons and plants? It sounds like my wheelhouse of expertise.

Khala Stormbringer

Lanius go after bodies, be they animal or other. They latch onto someone and slowly drain their life energy from them and use the corpse like a puppet. Were they skeletons only? Lanius do not care to remove flesh and a body would rot while being puppeted.

It is... somethingblight. Undead faekin wrapped up in sickly plants.

We fought them once long ago, before we met Hugh and were reminded of the power of Decay.

I will be looking through my old notes to see if I can find anything.

My memory is not very long unless I write it down. Does anyone else remember what I'm talking about?

-Ilana

I’ll try to check my notes on Blights. Though I don’t think Hugh or the Trickster has mentioned these before off the top of my head.

Though if it is Blight, rest assured I will hunt it down and destroy it.

-Caelvan Renaith
-Emerald Huntsman

Corpse trees consume bodies in a similar fashion. If I'm not mistaken, they plant their seeds inside a host body, slowly consuming them from the inside until they can puppet the body and find a place to plant themselves. Through most of their maturing years, they are capable of moving themselves in search of food.

Yes, they are incredibly dangerous if you are not careful, but they are natural creatures of this world. Just like any wolf, bear or lion. Leave them be, keep your distance and you will be fine.

What concerns me is these skeletons you are talking about. As stated previously Lanius are the only thing I remember even remotely resembling what you are describing. By all the forces in this world, I do hope they have not returned. Keep your distance, report any sighting you have and do not wander alone. When i get the chance I will look into this further.

Walking man-eating trees in Pendarvin? I am sure the folk there already turning them into firewood.

Lady Ilana, I will be happy accompany you back to the mountains. Haven't had much practice with an axe lately. It will be a good to shake the rust off!

Signed,
Jasper Thomas-son

I know we've been working on this a couple days now, but if you would please send me a missive, we can work on finalizing reports together so we can let everyone else know what's going on.

Thank you,
Ilana

(OOG: Please send me a message here or on FB to be added to the effort!)

This seems like as good a place as any to post up, seeing as others are already asking for assistance.

Myself and a few others witnessed some humanoid/avian hybrid creatures that appeared to have constantly running blood traveling at a great rate of speed in the Kaledonia lands. We hid as they passed, and thankfully, we were not seen. Among my group is someone who practiced the Druidic ways, and they were sick to their stomach as these passed. They insisted that the creatures were unnatural and DEEPLY problematic.

Assuming anyone reads this, please be on your guard, and maybe send some heroes and a few soldiers out to the Kaledonia lands. I fear these creatures will do something awful.

- Garec Bonegranite

While I was hoping to make sure the mountain range was being checked, it looks like my paranoia continues to have merit. Kaladonia often has a shared fate with Pendarvin. Was worried about that.

Would anyone be willing to check if anything sprouted up in northern Ostcliff? Let me know and I'll add you to the list.

Thank you for the warning Garec.

-Ilana

Alexi,
Not to diminish the importance of the urgency of your original post, but...
...
...
where, pray tell, can one obtain these "swamp mushrooms" to which you referred.

I'm asking for meditative and prayer purposes only, of course. Nothing more.

Yours in the Light,

I will do all that I can to help with this matter upon my return from the Burrows.

Lady Ilana,
As Verdant Advisor to Ostcliff, I would be happy to help with any matters related to possible strange druidic activity in the land. I'll take a look into the matter and see what I can find out.

Human avian hybrid- sounds almost like plague vultures. Maybe not, I could be wrong. Either way, steer clear of these things at all costs. Until we can confirm their origins and deal with then appropriately, they are an extreme threat. Ilana, I will be in touch.

I just got back from the front, and this has been my first chance to catch up on these disturbing reports.
Count me in on this, Ilana.

Reporting in. Saw some strange looking cloud things with glowing purple eyes and lightning bolts for arms. Coming in from the swamps of Drega'Mire. Killed two of mine afore we ran like the wind. Something's stirred these up, as there's a lot of them about. Not looking like normal danger. Watch yourselves. Now if you'll all excuse me, I've a bottle to crawl into and lives to mourn.

- Padraig O'Shaugnessy

Padraig,

Find me. I want a crack at these gits. Who's up for coming along to send these things a one way all expenses paid trip to kicking town, population anyone that mucks about with my people?

-Fr. MacFhionnlaigh

Well, time for me to go back home and beat up some blights.
I'll be tracking these things in my swamps if anyone needs me.

HAY NAYBOR,
YALL GOT TREE SKELETONS? I CAN GET YOU THAT ONE FER CHEAP. MUDBIRD'LL COST A TOUCH MORE AND THE PURPLE LIGHTNIN-ARMED-SWAMP-WIZARD--- IMMAHAV TO FIGUR A QUOTE ON ACCOUNT OF HIS LIGHTNIN ARMS BEIN BOTH HORIFYN AND COMPLICATD AS FAR AS THE RATCATCHIN TRADE GOES.
YER NAYBOR,
TOM BELL
RATCATCHER

(**OOG NOT MOOSTRAV**)

Can't imagine them blood birds doing nothing good, and I ain't going to unpack the idea of a corpse tree anywhere near me. Looks like some adventuring folk here helping, and that honestly makes me feel a bit better. Since you talking bout them monsters youve seen here I should mention the ground is actin all funny over by the Coopers place the ways over. Wouldn't meander over there if I were you.

Father Macfhionlagh if you could, run back round the outs of the proper when you can, some of us ain't doing too well. I know my family's tucking tail and heading in the proper early this month, just to be safe. We're just goin to listen to the Knight and steer clear of them birds and whatnot, you all talking bout blight and I honestly am going to just keep my head down and get us moving quicker then.

Sincerely,
Liam Villein