“I really hate this place” Aslam thought as he released the arrow. The arrow found it’s mark and pierced the druid skin.

“I say we find out who this druid is working for and what is going on here.” Ander  commented.

I plucked the arrow from his calf as he cried out in pain. I could not help to stare at the wounded druid with nothing but contempt and pity.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Ander demanded.

Off in the distance I could hear rumbling. “Something is going on outside.” I said as I headed to the outside.

I could feel the searing heat upon my face , Frost was calling down fire upon the twig men and other druids assembling outside.

While we were outside fighting they had been surrounding us. Frost came along and lob fire to disrupt whatever plans they had.

Taking aim I release an arrow and clip a druid that was advancing upon Frost. I pray that he notice both of us and not lob fire at me.

Within minutes the fight was over, the twig men were destroyed and we took multiple druids as prisons.

I recommended to the party that we hand the over to the family and let them do with them what they must.

We were informed by the family that they spotted more of the druids assembling in the forest next to a structure.

We decided to investigate  and I am reminded of how much I hate this place!

 

You know what I am thinking? I hate this place. The druids were circling over an effigy which came to life. Frost use divine power to hold two of the druids in an attempt to stop them from completing the ritual. My bow was there to protect him. The druids had insane berserkers protecting them. I tried to keep my distance pelting them with arrows. 

The battlefield was becoming cluttered and I fear we are losing. Strahd appeared and seem intent on watching the druids complete the ritual. This hasten my resolve to strike down a druid to stop the ritual. Pulling back the bow my arrow hummed through the arrow and found its mark. This seemed to anger Strahd as I could feel his gaze upon me, he then commanded some of his undead army to attack us.

I could hear a whisper in my head, it made my skin crawl and I could feel the hair on the back of my head rising. The voice told me it hunger for blood and that together we could cause so much destruction on the battlefield. My body failed me, I could not move. I had to ask myself was this a trick? Was Strahd messing with my mind? I glanced over at him but he seem preoccupied with the ritual and our mage.

I could not help but to smirk a little as Strahd lobbed a fireball to the wizard. Without great risk there is no great reward. I ran to the mound on the battlefield that cried out in my mind and I found it. A spear that seem simple but I could feel it crying out to me for blood. I rushed the druids to reclaim the gem from the tree before the complete the ritual. Weaving through the battlefield I grab the gem and slew an undead. I could feel the life essence of the creature flow through my body healing my wounds. My stomach begins to feel like knots are trying to escape as I stare at this spear. I am not sure I can use such a weapon.

The druids finish the ritual and the great tree attacked them. This seemed to amused Strahd as he grin and then left the battlefield. He commanded the weaker undead not to follow until they slay us. His undead died again!

I called it, we had to retreat. We took to the woods and ran to put as much distance between us and that abomination of a tree. The tree began to march towards the vineyard and by our guess it would arrive in a few hours. We decided to take a short rest to bind our wounds and then we made haste to the vineyard to warn them. My heart sank, I felt responsible for not being able to stop the ritual which has this abomination roaming the countryside.

We quickly prepared the vineyard for our stand. Using the barrels to form a barricade and pouring wine on the ground we were going to burn as many of the tree twig creatures that we could. I went up to the roof on one of the homes for a birds eye view. The people gave me ten extra arrows, I am concerned it may not be enough. I am hesitant to use the spear again.

The tree appeared out of the clearing, Ander wasted no time launching a fireball at them. We all unleash any and every attack we had, I shot as many arrows as I could at the great tree. As it approach I was prepared to ignite the wine on the ground to form a fire barrier. Since Ander had already sent a fireball the tree was on fire and it ignited the wine. The tree fixed its gaze on Ander and attacked him.

May I be forgiven but I cannot help but to smirk at the fact his fireballs cause him so much grief. Having been on the receiving end of his fireball I truly do understand the anger they feel. However the tree was close to killing our sorcerer. Caine leaped into action and with a flurry of punches and kicks bits of branches and tree bark were flying everywhere. A few more attacks and the abomination was no more. We also took care of the remaining twig men and were greeted by an overjoyed family.

I feel stronger and wiser after this battle, I feel as though I really have learn how to read the battlefield. I still hate this place, but at least I am making allies and I am still breathing.