====== Session 34: Trials of the Guardian ======

=== Evening, 7th Low Summer, 498 CE ===

  * Ekhart, Sanglant, and Revana arrived at the canopy floor of Arduin Rudal.
  * There they met the three emissaries from [[wiki:country:fairwyn|Fairwyn]];
    * Their leader, [[wiki:npcs:ana_heimlech|Dame Ana Heimlech]],
    * Another knight, [[wiki:npcs:leynard_blackwater|Sir Leynard Blackwater]],
    * and a priest, [[wiki:npcs:saxson|Brother Saxson]].
    * The Emissaries also had two other soldiers.
  * They learned from the Steward of Rudal, [[wiki:npcs:balagol|Balagol]], that all 8 of them would be participating in the trial together.
    * They also learned that Remy would not need to do the trial, as children were automatically granted permission to enter the Loridael.
  * They met the [[wiki:npcs:guardian_rudal|Guardian Rudal]], who was a massive animated treeant.
    * Steward Balagol told them that they would need to complete a full trial, given that they were so powerful.
    * The trials purpose was to ensure the safety of the Loridael, and the elven population.
    * Guardian Rudal told them before the trail would begin "No lies, no metal."
  * One by one, the Guardian Rudal picked people up and put them into its mouth.
    * When it got to one of the soliders, he repeated "no metal."
    * The solider was confused, and after hesitating, Guardian Rudal crushed him to death. Apparently he had been hiding a small knife on his person.
    * When it got to Ekhart, Guardian Rudal repeated "no lies," which caused Ekhart to drop his glamour. 


  * Upon entering Guardian Rudal, the party found themselves in a small wooden cocoon.
    * There appeared to be no entrance or exit.
    * There were also several small firefly-looking insects flying around everywhere, though they mostly appeared to be attracted to Ekhart.
    * Any time they attempted to cast any magic, the flies around them would Counterspell them.
  * The Emissaries appeared to be concerned with Ekhart's demonic appearance, though only Sir Leynard voice his contempt.
  * Revana and Dame Ana started looking for an exit together.
    * Eventually, the two came across a seam in the wood that opened for them.
    * Brother Saxson deduced that they would probably be doing the trial in pairs.
    * Ekhart and Brother Saxson left next, followed by Sanglant and Sir Leynard.


  * In Revana and Dame Ana's trial, they wondered a forest for a while until they came into a clearing.
    * Revana heard the sound of a hurt baby deer.
    * She and Ana found it and began to tend to its wounds.
    * Ana was able to fashion a needle out of a bone she found, and the two were able to stabilize the deer.
    * Revana fashioned a sling for the deer, and took it with them.


  * In Ekhart and Brother Saxson's trial, they were wondering through a dense and dark forest.
    * After a while they came across and angry brown bear.
    * They hesitate for a while, not wanting to hurt the bear.
    * Eventually, Ekhart noticed that behind them was a baby bear.
    * The two of them quickly and quietly removed themselves from between the mother and the baby.
    * They continued on without incident.


  * In Sanglant and Sir Leynard's trial, they were also walking through a forest path.
    * Leynard raised his concerns with Sanglant about how someone could willingly associate with demons and elves.
    * Eventually the two of them came across a large treasure chest.
    * They talked for a while about what they should do, but eventually decided to leave the chest unopened.


  * After wander through the forest, all 6 of them suddenly found themselves in darkness, where they were each greeted with several shadowy figures and a golden object they were offering.
    * Dame Ana saw her two mother's standing, each with Ana's childhood dog, one as a puppy and one fully grown. Ana chose the fully grown dog.
    * Revana saw a female elf holding golden baby Revana, and her childhood mentor instructing her as a child. Revana went to her  mother, who gave Revana herself as a baby.
    * Brother Saxson saw himself, on vision was him killing a baby minotaur, and one him surrounded with flame. He took the fire from himself killing the minotaur.
    * Ekhart saw his [[wiki:npcs:delrune_mayze|mother]], his [[wiki:npcs:auranos|father]], and his [[wiki:npcs:cidmuir_mayze|brother]], each with a golden key. He took the key from his mother.
    * Sir Leynard saw himself thrice, one with a golden medal, one a golden sword, and another a golden crown. He took the sword.
    * Finally, Sanglant began to see some shadowy woman figure, but his vision appeared to glitch and disappear. After a second, a vision of [[wiki:npcs:lenna|Lenna]], chained and on fire, appeared before him.

  * Finally, all six of them appeared together in a giant field.
    * They fought several animated treeants.
    * Revana gave the deer and baby Rev to Dame Ana, who had no sword, so could not fight.
    * Ekhart lit some torches and animated them.
  * After a mighty battle, the party was eventually able to destroy the trees.


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