Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
14: discovering the grate tree
I wasn't sure if anything else was left in this fort but I needed to get out. The memory of what the watch captain had written was still fresh in my mind, and I didn't want to meet whatever was mentioned in day 45. Deciding to see where the treasure map led I examined it and found the X. I then traced a path on my map from our current location to where the X would be on the map.
We started by heading north. After a few feet, we turned east. A few feet short of the Armory We turn south. A short while later we turn east again. Upon reaching a wall we turn south.
All this time we had been fighting "Bandits", and after this last battle Luna leveled up to 14. She placed her attribute point into her "Will Power". Then looking at her skills she noticed a new 1 called "rest for the weary" From what she said I gathered that this skill would keep our Mana and Stamina up as long as the skill lasted. Luna immediately raised its rank to 2 with her skill point.
After finishing with Luna's level up we turn east to continue our trek. Leaving the fort we turn south. We walk up to a ruined wall and turn east. From there we walk until we reach the road running through these ruins and turn south again. After a long walk, we turn west. After another long walk, we turn south. After a short walk, we turn west again. Reaching a thicket we turn south once more. Reaching another thicket we turn west. After entering a meadow we turn south. A few feet later we turn west again. After leaving the meadow we turn south.
After Defeating a group of 3 "Giant Spiders" I reach level 15. I place my attribute point into my Intelligence. However, just like the last 2 levels, I save my skill points for my next fire spell.
Continuing south we reach a thicket. At which point we turn west. A short walk later we need to turn south. Another short walk later we turn east. A mildly long walk later we turn north. After reaching the thicket we turn east once again. Walking forward we come across what looks like a stockpile of chests. Is this where the Bandits have been placing all the loot they have been stealing? Deciding not to worry about it we set about looting everything we could find.
After collecting all we could find I decide to check out some ruined towers I can see on my map. Deciding to look at the southern tower first I trace a path to it on the map and we set out. First, we leave the "Bandit's stockpile" to the west and turn south. A short few feet later we turn west. A long walk later we reach a corner and turn north. A short time later we turn east. A short time later the path on the map turns north and we follow it. Following the map we soon turn east. Entering a meadow once again we turn north. A short time later we turn east and exit the meadow.
As we exit the meadow we fight 3 "Giant Spiders", and a "Tainted Raven". After the battle, Alice reaches Level 14. She places her attribute point into her Constitution bringing it up to 13. For her skills, She learned a new 1 called "Assassin's Arrow". Using her skill points from both this level and the previous 1, she raises the rank of this skill to 3.
After finishing with all of that the 3 of us continue east until we see we are supposed to turn north on the map. We continue north until we see the Ancient road on our right. Reentering the Ancient road we turn south. Reaching a bend in the road we turn east. After heading east for a short while we spot a ruined tower to the south. Entering the tower I am disappointed to find only a single dead body. After looting it of its items we decide to check out the other tower.
We start by exiting the ruined tower and walking over to a thicket blocking the road. We then turn west. Reaching the bed in the road again we turn north. We follow the Ancient road north until we reach another bend in the road. We turn west and continue walking. A short walk later we spot a ruined tower on our right. Turning north we enter the tower and search it.
Though we search the entire tower we find no items. Did this tower get ransacked before it was destroyed? However, while exploring it we come across an ancient clearing. A group of stones stand in this clearing. It kind of looks like Stonehenge. In this clearing, we find an ancient altar. Luna is slightly drawn toward it, but it seems another person is required. We should probably come back to this later.
Unfortunately, we find nothing else here or in the fort, and so we decide to see where the Ancient road leads.
Continuing west along the Ancient road we eventually come across a gigantic tree rising into the sky. Something is odd though. There is a door leading into the tree. Deciding to investigate we head for the tree.
As we enter the shade cast by the tree's large branches Alice looks up in wonder. "I have heard rumors of this place."
I turn to her. "What is it?"
Alice doesn't take her eyes from the tree above us. "It's known as the Heart of Deepwood. Legend says that it was the first tree of the forest - that all other life in Deepwood flows from it. The recent anger of the forest must flow from here."
I gaze at the tree. I can feel a prickle on my skin. Something powerful must be around here. "I can almost feel the power of this place. How can we access it?"
Alice gestures to some panels on the tree. "Look at those carvings. I've seen puzzles like this before. There's a proper order we have to press the carvings in - that will open the way."
I shutter. I hate these kind of puzzles. If only Hermione were here. Oh well, no sense fretting over what we don't have. It's time to solve a puzzle. "Alright, let's see what I can do."
The tree has 5 carvings. A carving of a "Hunny bee", a carving of a "River", a carving of a "Seed", a carving of a "Sun, and a carving of a "Tree". There has got to be a clue to the order these carvings are to be pushed in. Remembering the strange poem we found in the fort I look over it again.
"As I reach to touch the sky, deepwood, never let me die.
If I am gone, you'll never see; but look too close and blind you'll be.
Tiny worker though I be, the mighty woods depend on me.
Though small in size, respect my role; within me dwells a giant soul.
To all that's living, life I give; but deep within me, you can't live."
As I gaze over the poem I realize there are 5 lines, and there are 5 carvings. Maybe this can help me figure out the order in which to press the carvings.
The first line reads "As I reach to touch the sky, deepwood, never let me die." The only carving that this can match would be the tree so I reach out and press it. The carving clicks into place.
The second line reads. "If I am gone, you'll never see; but look too close and blind you'll be." Looking over the carvings the only 1 that might blind a looker would be the sun. So saying I reach out and press it. Once again the carving clicks into place.
Looking at the third line it reads. "Tiny worker though I be, the mighty woods depend on me." Glancing over the 3 carvings left I wonder which 1 the line is referring to. Well, it can't be the "river", a river is never referred to as a "tiny worker". So is it the "Seed", or the "Hunny bee"? Well, I have seen a Hunny bee busily working away at a flower, so maybe this is what the line is referring to. So I reach out and press the carving of a "Hunny bee". The carving clicks into place like the last 2.
Only 2 left. The next line reads. "Though small in size, respect my role; within me dwells a giant soul." Glancing over this line I feel I was right about the previous line. Only the seed carving fits this line. With that, I reach out and press the carving of a "seed". The carving clicks into place like the 3 before it.
There is only 1 carving left however to be sure of myself I glance at the last line of the poem. "To all that's living, life I give; but deep within me, you can't live." just as I thought. This can only match the river carving. With satisfaction, I reach out and press the carving of a "river". As I press the final carving it clicks in and The final tumbler falls into place, and the way opens into the Heart of Deepwood. With excitement, I and my companions enter the giant tree.
– Separator –
An: and that's it for this chapter. I wanted more here but Deepwood doesn't give the player that much to explore. Next chapter the party explores the heart of Deepwood and if their lucky they will discover what's wrong here in the forest.
Also, at the time I am uploading this chapter, the story is fully written. I just need to run each of the remaining chapters through Grammarly to prepare them for upload.
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.