Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
15: getting at the heart
As we enter the grate tree we take a quick look around. Straight ahead only a few steps west is a wall. Looking north and south we can only see thickets. The thick to the south is farther away, so we turn south and begin walking. Just before we reach the thicket the wall to our right opens and allows us out of this small ring.
After exiting the first of what turned out to be many rings, we turned north and walked toward another thicket. As we walk we are attacked by a "Tainted Wolf." Upon reaching the thicket we turn east. Reaching the wall we turn north. Reaching the wall again we turn west. Reaching the thicket that seems to surround this ring we turn south. Reaching the wall we turn east. Reaching the next wall we turn south. Realizing we were going in circles we headed to the west side of the ring we saw earlier. Not finding anything except some more shrubs we head over to the south side of the ring.
While exploring the south side of the ring we come across a dead body. On that body is a journal of some kind. The journal reads as follows.
"The creatures attacked without warning. Massive beings, trees that walk about like giant men. They took Duncan. No doubt the fool has done something to anger these creatures, but he is my brother. I must track them, and save him from whatever mess he's gotten himself into."
"I've tracked Duncan's captors to a massive tree near the center of the forest. Could this be the Heart of Deepwood we speak of in our legends? I know not what awaits me inside, but I am prepared for anything."
"How long have I been wandering this maze? Time has no meaning in here. Today I found a lever that opened the way deeper into the tree; perhaps I am finally nearing where they are holding my brother."
"Another close call today; I ran out of arrows fending off a brood of spiders, and had to finish the last one with my knife. This place is infested with all manner of nightmarish creatures, and I am still no closer to finding Duncan. Still, I will not give up hope."
"I fear that I may never escape this place. I have mapped the maze as clearly as possible in the back of this journal, and have indicated the levers that open the way further. If anyone should find this journal, I hope my labor will be of more use to them. Please, find my brother, if I cannot..."
The pore man. I had no real idea what it is like to lose a brother or sister for that matter. However, I decide to fulfill this man's last request. As soon as I make that decision words flash over my head. "A new quest, Brother's Keeper, has been added. I've found the journal of a ranger who died looking for his brother inside the Heart of Deepwood. To honor his sacrifice, I should try to find out what happened to his brother." How does this game system know my thoughts? Well, no matter. Time to look at that journal again.
Studying the map drawn in the back of the journal I spot 2 levers. Marking their locations on my map I realize why we have been going in circles. We need to find these levers to open our path forward.
I trace a path on my map from our current location to the first lever shown in the journal. Following my map we start by heading west. Once we reach a wall we turn south. Reentering the ring that we have been stuck in all this time we turn west. After fighting 2 "Giant Spiders" and 2 "Tainted Ravens" we reach a wall and turn north. We had to fight off 4 "Ravens" but at last we reached a wall and turned east.
As we walked forward we are attacked by 3 "Tainted Wolves" After defeating the pack Luna levels up to level 15. She places her attribute point into her "Will Power" bringing it up to 18. She uses her skill point to raise her "rest for the weary" to rank 3. After Luna is finished we continue heading east.
A few steps later the map tells us to turn south. Upon reaching the wall we turn east. Reaching another wall we turn north. Reaching yet another wall the map says to turn east. A few steps later the map shows us we need to turn south. Reaching the wall we turn east and spot the first lever. Hurrying forward we reach the lever and pull it.
After pulling the first lever we turn our attention to the second lever marked on the map. Tracing a path from the first lever to the second we set out to find it. First, we head north to the wall. Then we turn west until we reach another wall. Turning north again we reach another wall. Turning west we walk u til we reach a thicket. At this point, the map shows we need to turn south. Reaching a wall again we turn west. After a good walk, we turn north. Reentering the first ring we continue north until we reach a wall. After reaching the wall we turn east and walk a good long distance. Adventually we spot a second ring to our south.
As we enter the second ring Alice gazes at the hedges around us. "This almost looks like a prison. See how the vines have formed into chains?"
I examine the vines she mentioned. They don't look too strong. "I can take care of these hedges - stand back."
Before I attack the hedges I see words flashing over my head. "A new quest, A Balancing Act, has been added. I've discovered what seems to be a prison inside the Heart of Deepwood. I wonder who or what would be worth restraining in such a place? I'll need to clear the hedges blocking the entrance in order to find out."
After launching a Firebolt at the hedges the way into the prison is open. Entering the prison We search for whatever is held in here. We first follow the hedges west. Then we turn south. A bit later we turn east. After searching a group of vines that are twisted in such a way to look like cells we finally find a body with a journal on it. The name on the journal is "Duncan". Hoping to learn what is going on here we read the journal.
"Has Deepwood ever known such a drought? The trees themselves seem to choke on the dry dust that fills the air. I would rest from my patrol, if my brother wouldn't frown upon it - but no man or beast is liable to stir until the drought has eased, I warrant."
"Wonder of wonders~ As I ventured beyond the ruins of the great fort in the west of the wood, I came upon a tree of uncanny size. Might this be the rumored Heart of Deepwood? I will enter, and investigate."
"Never have I seen such a place. Surely this is the tree from which all other life in the forest flows. It seems that the natural circulation of this great tree has been interrupted by the drought - thick weeds have choked the roots, and the reservoirs they fill. I am heading to town, to see if the general store has some shears I might use to clear the blockage."
"How long have I been here? I was beset as I made my way to the city - guardians of the forest, no doubt angered by my tresspassing on their sacred ground. I meant only to help, but now I am trapped in some manner of cell."
"I fear I will never again see the light through the leaves of the forest. Brother, I know you will come looking for me; if you find me, know that the reservoirs can be accessed from the second ring of this great tree. The roots lead further in, to the third ring. I know I have always been a disappointment - but perhaps you can finish my work, and at least in death, I will accomplish something you can be proud of."
As we finish reading the journal tears come to my eyes. The dead ranger we found in the first ring was wrong about his brother. Duncan has given us a clue as to what has been happening here in Deepwood Forest.
As I place the journal back into my pack words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Brother's Keeper, completed. I've found the ranger's brother. Sadly, he also perished in the Heart of Deepwood."
As the words fade my level increases to 16/ I take the time to place my attribute point into my Intelligence bringing it up to 19. Though I save my skill points again. Since I still haven't learned any new fire spells.
Now that I know the fate of the ranger's brother I return to searching for the second lever. From Duncan's body, we head west. Upon reaching a wall we turn north. At the next wall, we turn east. Upon reaching a thicket that surrounds the prison we turn north, exiting the prison, and entering the second ring.
After entering the second ring we turn east. As we walk east we spot 1 of the reservoirs Duncan mentioned in his journal. Finding the groath mentioned I burn it away with a Firebolt. Then we exit the reservoir and continue east. Reaching a wall we turn south. After walking a long way south the map sends us into a Tree Nursery. In that nursery, we locate the second lever. Pulling it we hear branches moving out of the way. Now we just need to find the other reservoirs and clear them. Squaring our shoulders we exit the Tree Nursery.
Reentering the second ring we continue south. Reaching a corner we turn west. Passing by an entrance to the first ring we turn into the water reservoir. Finding a blockage in the reservoir I use Firebolt to clear it out. After this, we leave the reservoir and head for the third ring.
Since we know the rings circle the tree we turn west after exiting the water reservoir. Reaching a corner we turn north. After walking for a bit we spot the third ring on our right. Turning east we enter the third ring.
Deciding to explore this ring we turn north and start walking. Reaching a corner we turn east. Spotting 1 of the 2 veins on our right we turn south and enter it. As we explore the vein Luna says, "We're standing inside one of the roots; how massive must this place be?"
Alice nods toward the wall. "I smell fresh air. This root must lead back to the surface."
I smile. "That will be convenient if we need to resupply."
Ignoring the exit we found, we search for the blockage Duncan mentioned in his journal. We finally found it in the southwest corner of the vein. Quickly I cleared it with Firebolt. That just leaves the Sap Vein to go.
Before we could exit the vein we are attacked by 2 "Ravens". After defeating them Alice finally reached level 15. She placed her attribute point into "Agility" and used her skill point to raise her "assassin's arrow" skill to rank 4. Once Alice finished in the level-up screen we exited the vein.
Continuing east along the third ring we reach a corner and turn south. Passing by an entrance to the second ring we continue to a corner where we turn west. Walking along we spot the Sap Vein on our right and so we turn north and enter the last vein. In the northeastern corner of the vein, we find not only the growth we need to clear but also a third lever. After clearing the groath with Firebolt words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, A Balancing Act, complete. I've restored the flow of water and sap in the Heart of Deepwood. It's possible that it will be a little safer to travel in the forest now."
After the words fade I reach out and pull the lever. We hear branches moving somewhere in the tree. Deciding to see what may have changed we exit the vein.
As we walk along the third ring we come to a corner and turn north. Passing the entrance to the second ring again we continue to the corner where we turn east. Wondering if we missed a lever in the Water Vein we enter and search it. Not finding anything we return to the third ring and continue east. A few steps later we find a fourth ring on our right. turning south we enter this ring.
Turning east after entering the ring we walk to the wall. At the next corner, we turn south. At the next corner, we turn west. At the next corner, we turn north. Reaching the corner we turn east. Reaching another corner quickly we turn south. We can see just ahead of us the tree's core. Not sure what we will find I have Luna cast all her buffs on us before we enter the core.
As we enter the core we are attacked by the "Deepwood Guardian". Alice opens the battle by using "Assassin's Arrow" on the guardian. The number 33 flashes over the guardian's head. The guardian tries to hit 1 of us but it misses. I try to hit it with Firebolt but I also miss. Luna hits it with her "Light of Purity" and Alice hits it with another "Assassin's Arrow". The guardian hits Luna. I miss with my Firebolt again. Luna and Alice both hit the guardian. The guardian is looking seriously wounded. The guardian hits Alice. However, I finally hit the guardian with Firebolt. This is enough to put it down.
Alice looks around at us as she catches her breath. "Is everyone alright?"
I check myself over. I seem to be ok. "Never better. Do you know what that thing was?"
Alice sags in relief as Luna nods that she is ok. "It was a guardian of Deepwood, an ancient spirit of the forest. I always thought they were legends."
I snort. "I don't think legends hit that hard."
Luna straightens up, before suddenly holding her nose. "Ugh! What is that horrid stink?"
Alice gazes around before she blanches. "It's the smell of decay. Look around - the whole core of the tree is rotting."
Indeed I can see the rot spreading slowly. "Do you think this could be a result of everything that's been happening in the forest?"
Alice shakes her head. "I think the more likely answer is that it's the cause. The forest has been attacked, and now it's angry."
Luna looks sick. "I've seen blights like this before. This is the work of poison, not magic."
I nod determinedly. "In that case, we'd better take a sample back to Lord Adrianus."
After gathering a sample we return to Farhaven.
– Separator –
An: and that is it for Deepwood. Man this was a long dungeon and I couldn't find a good place to split it up so you get it all in 1 chapter. Next time our group will finally return to see Lord Adrianus for the first time since setting out on this journey.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all /next time.