Sylvari had been pleasantly surprised that Sarne was also heading east after dealing with the spider infestation in Moonglade and was happy to travel alongside her friend. She was always eager to have a companion to cross the dreaded Marsh Flats with. Aside from the myriad dangerous evils that stalked that place, the vampiress simply disliked the bog and having someone to talk to in order to occupy her mind was a welcome distraction. That said, with Sarne's tactical mind, a fair amount of the time, he was scouting for the pair in the air with his Terror Bird while Sylvari rode atop Mercy on the ground. Nevertheless, time passed relatively quickly, and the companions made their way out of the swamp in good time, only to come upon several grave warnings of a pair of particularly troublesome Murkwood Spawn terrorizing travelers along this route.

Sylvari and Sarne had given each other wordless nods upon this discovery, each committed to ending this menace before the monsters claimed more lives. The pair now walked side by side through the eerily quiet woods. They had forgone their mounts for the moment, not wanting to risk their steeds and also concerned about driving the creatures away from obviously powerful adventurers.

Sylvari had picked up a new trick in furthering her bond with her weapon, now able to splinter the connection she held with her warhammer to include another ^{[Spell Blade, Splintered Soul]}. Her new flail, purchased on their journey, crackled slightly with lightning ^{[Spell Blade, Arcane Soul]} where it rested on her hip. It would be ready to fly from its sling, independent of Sylvari's wielding ^{[Spell Blade, Living Weapon]}, at the first sign of danger.

"Well, Sarne, any ideas how to root these creatures out? From what I know of them, they are nearly indistinguishable from tress when unmoving, and you're our resident tracker." The vampiress gave her friend a playful shove, eager to disrupt the quiet tension that permeated this place.

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: What Lurks in the Murk

Participants: Two or more

Location: King's Valley (Kingswood)

Post Requirements: 8 posts per person, 250 words per post

Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket, Choice of 1 Rare crafting material

Description: A pair of Murkwood Spawn have been terrorizing travelers as they move through the forest connecting King’s Valley to the Marsh Flats. Instead of using sheer force to assault their prey, they stalk, using the forest to their advantage. Working together, they have managed to attack and evade many local authorities, with the Knights of Duros asking for help in the matter. Anyone brave enough to enter the forest and dispatch these two beasts will earn favor with both regions.





Special Requirements: At least one member of the group (PC only, no NPC's) must be knocked unconscious during this fight.)

Sarne was not familiar with the Hostile monsters known as Murkwood Spawns. Sarne had been told they were dangerous and hunted at night. Their skin looks like it is made of petrified wood. They are malevolent and violent.

They lurk in the mists of the Kingswood with their long, bony limbs swinging, their hair like extended, lifeless leaves. They yearn for blood, and they linger in places where death is most prevalent. Their hunting mainly takes place at night, which gives them the added advantage of blending into their environment. When they stand still and are tall, they can practically pass as trees. They especially fear fire.

This is what Sarne described Sylvari as they walked he did not fear them much but was not a fool either and was not going to undermost them. "Well we could start a huge fire and see what runs," commented Sarne with a sly grin bumping back into Sylvari lightly. "I seem to be good at that," said Sarne thinking of the spiders. "Well, first we go to where some of the attacks happen. I will see their tracks there I am sure. Then we track and take them down. That is the plan anyway. But plans don't always work out." remarked Sarne looking at the ground.

They walked for a little longer Sarne stopped knelt and looked at the ground closely "Here," He said almost at a whisper. Sarne started to walk then stopped it did not take a tracker to see the ripped clothing and gear all over the place. Sarne paused looking before he walked over there. A sleeve of a shirt was hanging on a branch. It was white cloth with blood stains on it, weeks old. Sarne looked carefully at the area before taking the sleeve.

Sylvari could tell Sarne was being extra careful and slow in his movements something Sarne did not do too often. Sarne brought the sleeve back to Sylvari. "I think this is one of the places. This was no large normal animal that did this," remarked Sarne watching the trees.

Sylvari gently took the proffered cloth laden with blood, her crimson eyes seeming to gleam as she brought the fabric to her nose before frowning and pulling it away. "Mundane people, no traces of arcana within the blood. Poor souls likely never stood a chance."

The vampiress walked over beside Sarne, kneeling down to see large unnatural gashes in the earth. Her friend was right, no normal beast caused this. It seemed the pair had been lucky to stumble upon evidence of their quarry, though, considering the eerie lack of other creatures in the area, perhaps it made any evidence of life stand out all the more clearly.

Sylvari stood, an armored finger pressed firmly against slightly pursed lips as she thought. "If we are more likely to encounter these creatures at night, perhaps we should stop here and strategize." Sylvari walked a short distance to a fallen tree and sat atop it, gazing around suspiciously at the trees, which seemed to sway ominously in a light breeze.

"You're more adept at stealth than I, and I have confidence in my resilience in a fight. What say you to trailing me silently when darkness comes and coming to assist when the creatures have engaged? I believe a solitary person will be more likely targeted, and I want to deal with these creatures as quickly as possible to prevent further attacks." The vampiress looked down with sad eyes at the only remnants of whatever people were unlucky enough to pass this way.

Sarne looked to be in thought of Sylvari's request or idea. He also walked over and sat down beside her. Looking at the trees one of them a Murkwood Spawn are they being watched Sarne could normally sense something watching them. His hunter instinct doesn't let him down often. Sarne looked into Sylvari's all-red eyes gazing into them deeply. Sarne knew her character and the kind heart she had. But the eyes no matter how soft Sylvari' was were one of a predator. That intrigues Sarne but he wonders if he had the same look in his eyes of a killer did he lose his innocence over the last few years? Sarne asked him self.

"I am not a man that just lets people play as bait and take danger on like that." started Sarne sounding like he questioned the idea. "I have to recognize you, Sylvari as a worrier and capable of dealing with every situation you come across. If you were not we would not be sitting here with me," said Sarne still looking into her eyes he just kind of could not look away. "My instinct is to protect you, dam Family bood line sometimes." Sarne commented half joking.

"Yes, I will let you lead but I do not know how well Spawns can sense people or life normally no one can see or hear me in the shadows. Just remember if things go wrong turn away from me. There are going to be a lot of light and explosions. Then we both Run like chasing an Arrow." Sarne told Sylvari. "We have a few hours we should rest?" suggested Sarne.

Sylvari gave Sarne a rueful smile. "Your concern for my well-being is appreciated, dear, but your worry is better spent elsewhere, I think. My curse will not let me fall so easily, and on that day, I can only hope that the people I care for are not too close." The vampiress fell silent for a few minutes, before finally registering Sarne's suggestion to rest until nightfall.

"Oh, yes, of course. Please feel free to take a nap, if you need to catch up on sleep. I don't sleep much these days. I caught about two hours three days ago while you kept watch, so I should be just fine to continue the rest of this hunt without needing to rest."

Sylvari gave an impish smile to her companion's proposed strategy. Though starting a fire would presumably be the most expeditious way to rid the land of these pests, the Kingswood lacked the ambient moisture that Moonglade had, so she doubted she would be able to quell the flames quite so easily as she had done before. The justiciar did not favor the idea of destroying natural environment to exterminate a few troublesome creatures.

As the wind picked up, tousling Sylvari's platinum hair, the vampiress focused her attention on maintaining steady surveillance of the trees, which seemed to swell ominously in the absence of wildlife noises. The silence set Sylvari on edge, a frown tugging at her lips. It was a prime breeding ground for her anxiety to fester, and she was worried that the stealthy creatures would slip passed her notice to attack her resting friend.

Turning to one side Sarne slid off the log and sat with his back to the log. Folding his cloak around him he blended into the surrounding plants and ground almost disappearing. "I hope one day I can do more for you Sylvari," remarked Sarne. Stretching Sarne smiled when he saw her looking into the woods Sylvari had good instincts. Sarne was happy to have her there with him.

"Yes, the Spawns are there," said Sarne confirming Sylvari's suspicion. "I think Spawns will do anything until dark or the sun goes down," said Sarne with confidence. "So we are good for about three hours I think. I will be up in two just say my name I am here if you need anything," said Sarne with a sly grin. [1] plucking his hood over his head now and disappearing from sight.

while the time was going two sets of eyes watched the two sitting next to the place they had found the last human and dwarf. That's nasty dwarf it tasted horrible. thought the Spawn as it relaxed to sway in the wind like the other trees around the two Spawns. They could not believe this was so easy. but one of them kept staring at Sylvari it knew something did not smell right about that one. it sent shivers through its branches. The Spawn can sense death they can smell it on Sylvari but she was alive to this confused the Spawn.

The other half-elf did not seem to be interested in sleeping which was a good thing though the Spawn. They could attack tonight and get their fill of blood.

[1] The Houdini Act / Pass without a trace

As tense minutes turned into agonizing hours, the interminable march of time brought about the coming darkness. The horrors of the mind plagued Sylvari, tormenting her with every portent of doom and presaged atrocity she could think of, surprising her with her latent creativity. The wind had long since stopped, an even worse predicament as the ensuing silence was a cacophonous breeding ground for worry and dread.

Still, the creatures had not made a move on the camp, perhaps due tot he small fire that the vampiress tended, cared for like a precious holy ward against lingering demons. She knew her friend needed more rest than he was liable to ask for and refused to be the reason he woke before his time. The fire was a stopgap against her dwindling faith in her perceptions, as the dark woods played tricks on her mind.

Sarne began to stir after too much longer, mere eternities for Sylvari. She smiled kindly at her friend, with all the frayed confidence she could muster. "I pray your rest was rejuvenating. We've work to do. I've felt eyes on me ever since we entered these woods, all the more so these last few hours of daylight. With your permission, I shall begin. Stay by the fire until I am a short distance away, then enact our plan."

The vampiress summoned twin pools of darkness over her crimson eyes ^{[Ebon Eyes]}, painting the darkness with a bluish tint that allowed her to pierce the gloom. She waited until her friend gave signal of his readiness and stepped out into the dark unknown, fit to devour her.

Sarne was on cue looking around He sniffed the air and looked lowly around he stretched and stood to his feet. Sarne smiled at Sylvari Suggestion of her starting. "OK, watch the ground they probably trip people with their roots then attack them when they are down. That is what I would do if I was them." Suggested Sarne look into the woods himself kicking out the fire.

The Spawns looked on movement had wakened them up. one of the humans was walking into the woods the one the Spawn wondered about. They looked at one other and just stayed almost frozen. with a hiss "They are coming" one of them said. It sounded like the sound of a haunted voice on the breeze. "Wait the other one disappeared can't find him." said the other with some worry.

[1] Sylvari would not know it But Sarne was closer than she might think. Sarne moved from shadow to shadow without any noise and this irritated the Spwon not knowing where Sarne was. It only took a minute to get close to the Spawns. There was no time they had to act.

The first Spawn close to Sylvari did what Sarne said it would do. Sylvari might have not realized it if Sarne had not said something about it. The root slowly rose out of the mud it was creepy and probably would have frightened most people and made them panic.

Sylvari and Sarne were not normal and had seen their fair share of frightening things. In their life as an adventurer, this is the type of thing they would look for. That was too bad for the Spawn. They had no idea they were dealing with adventures, not common people.

The first one lashed out with its branch-like arms and claws at Sylvari. The second Spawn stepped out to try to cut off any escape of Sylvari. The First Spwan its branch-like arms stopped in the air as they hit something there was a loud thud as Sarne came into view stopping the attack right there with his shield. [2] The surprise gave Sarne a chance to counterattack [3] Sarne smashed into the Spawn the shield spikes stabbing deep into it pushing the Spawn back a few steps. Blood poured from the shield spikes. A flash of pure light shoots out of the sword burning a hole threw the first Spawn it shrieked in pain as it stumbled back. Ambers rose as it burned from the pure light.

Sarne thought he was in the clear but the second Spawned shrieked in anger. Stiking Sarne's blindside sent him flying threw the Air into a tree. The three shook with the impact. Sarne then hit the ground hard with a thud and was not moving.


[1] The Houdini Act / Pass without a trace
[2] Sarne's Way of the Shield
[3] Paladin's Blade beam of pure light

Hells. 

The whole world exploded with action in a scene very like one of Sylvari's worried daydreams. No sooner had she narrowly avoided a raising root, thanks in no small part to Sarne's words than two of the nearby 'trees' came to life with a cruel vindictiveness. In a flash, Sarne was there beside her, guarding her from a heavy strike and retaliating with a beam of golden energy that set one of the creatures ablaze in holy fire. Sylvari's growing smile at her friend's aptitude was quickly halted as a massive strike hit Sarne unprepared from the second monster, sending the noble sailing through the air and slamming against a nearby tree with a sickening crunch. Like a bag of disjointed bones, Sarne's body fell to the ground at odd angles.

"No!"

The vampiress did not know if her friend lived, but she dashed with all the speed she could muster towards her fallen comrade. The remaining spawn made the mistake of trying to intercept her desperate charge, only to find the intrepid woman crashing into it, battering the monster aside in her mad dash to get to Sarne ^{[Knight, Rushing Charge]}. 

As Sylvari stood over the noble, she could faintly hear the sharp, shallow breaths he took, seeing with dismay the way his blood weakly pulsed with his light arcana ^{[Chaos Touched]}. Her musings were not allowed to continue long, with the irate Spawn returning with a vengeage to assault the object of its hatred. It was all Sylvari could do to dull the hail of blows that rained down on her, not daring to dodge for fear of the enemy hitting Sarne ^{[Shield Hit Preventions 3/3]}.

Sarne was out for the moment. His thoughts drifted as a light in the distance threw a dark tunnel. It was moving closer at first. Then the light started to move away "Not Yet" said a voice something familiar about it sarne did not understand as his mind drifted. Sarne somehow knew he was badly injured he could feel his body drifting there was no pain but Sarne could not move. sarne wondered if he was dead or dying.

Without warning there was a flash of light a blinding light and a warm feeling washed over him. He could feel something awakening inside of him. The light grew to be intense Sarne was not frightened by the light but it was almost like looking at the sun.

Sarne coughed up some blood he was still unconscious. Something was happening to Sarne He was starting to glow. [1] Sarne's blond hair changes to almost silver it shines like metal. His complexion turns a tan-colored with lustrous skin tone. Sarne's eyes change to a piercing gold. A pair of feathery angelic wings grow from his back. Sarne is covered in a gold hue.

[2] Sarne had stopped bleeding and some injuries started to heal. The celestial power was taking over his body now he had completed the transformation. Unfortunately for Sylvari, the healing power of the celestial power did nothing for her. Sarne coughed some and groaned but did not move. He was still unconscious for the most Pain racked his body as he laid there. 

[1] Holy Avenger
[2] Prevailing Justice

Sylvari smelled healing magics taking hold on her friend at her feet ^{[Chaos Touched]}, happy that Sarne had contingent healing that would allow her to focus on the fight. With her friend still recovering beneath her, the vampiress was much more limited and rooted than her normal combat style required, causing the fight to go poorly for her. The Spawn before her continued its relentless strikes without any of the fatigue that would mark it as being among the living, its ferocious claws leaving marks along Sylvari's gauntlets ^{[Gauntlet Hit Preventions 1/2]}, greaves ^{[Greaves Hit Preventions 2/2]}, and cuirass ^{[Cuirass Hit Preventions 2/2]}.

No longer concerned for her friend's immediate wellbeing, the justiciar was able to mount an offense of her own, her flail, crackling with golden lightning ^{[Celestial, Holy Light] [Spell Blade, Arcane Soul]}, flying from her hip ^{[Spell Blade, Living Weapon]} as it began somersaulting in the air, hitting the creature multiple times ^{[Double Strike Enchantment]} and healing Sylvari's surface wounds ^{[Life Link Enchantment]}. So too sang her warhammer, letting of a great mist of ice and light as she brought it down upon the creature's hardened flesh.

Unfortunately, though her blunted weapons were excellent at dealing with armored and unarmored opponents alike, to an opponent akin to solid wood as the monster before her, Sylvari's armaments found little purchase in the creature's flesh, with the myriad enchantments doing the bulk of the heavy lifting when it came to damaging the thing. Even so, the onslaught was clearly hurting the Spawn, which roared and continued its frenzy, motivated by pain.

Sarne was coming around now He had guessed what had happened. How he did not die Celestial most had taken over to save him and possibly Sylvari. Sarne still could not move much and his body was telling him not to. [1] Sarne could feel his armor it was damaged badly most of it unusable it was the Phantom Plate that saved him this time as well. His mined drifting as he lad there flashing to parts of his past. There was a few back flashes from this time being gone for a year still fuggy but he could smell the roses and feel the sunlight on him of a garden. His mind drifted again as his Grandfather told him story's as a chilled.

Sarne could hear the on slot of attacks as the two Murkwood Spawns. The sound of their claws hitting her armor and shield as they wiped their branch-like arms at her. Sarne was proud of his friend standing up to the two Murkwood Spawns Sylvari was a wonder. Sarne heard the weapons she was wielding. The crackling energy of the weapons was giving off his sight had returned and was much more alert now with one last cough Sarne gave a weak grin and then moaned in pain. It was time for Sarne to help. [2] sarne called a Blessing a pond his friend for guarding him. Now the power of the Murkwood Spawn's attacks would be reflected at them and heal Sarne at the same time. Sarne hoped he could move soon.

[1] all armor pieces -1, Shield -2, Phantom Plate -1 hit preventions.
[2] Divinities Blessing
You target yourself or an ally, coating them in a shield of divine protection. Until your next post they will ignore all damage received from any source, absorbing the damage as energy. They can then release that energy from their body in a burst, healing all allies in a 20 foot range and dealing light damage to all enemies in that same range. This spell can only be used once per topic.

Sylvari marveled at the golden energy that wrapped her body, like a second suit of armor above her battered plate. She looked down with wonder at her friend, seeing Sarne slowly picking up his battered body. In her distraction, one of the Murkwood Spawn struck her undefended head, but with the divine shield she had been granted, she felt no pain, and the sureness of her footing caused the justiciar to move not an inch ^{[Knight, Immovable Bastion]}.

As the creatures continued to hail down blows on her, they were availed not, for the holy energy surrounding her absorbed all the sting of their blows. The vampiress turned to face them with renewed resolve. With a click flick of her wrist, Sylvari intoned an eldritch curse, low and ominous, audible over the din of combat. It was a single word, an imperious command not to be ignored, inexplicably understandable despite the foreign tongue. "Burn."

A bolt of black flame flew from her hands like a streak of lightning ^{[Chaos Bolt]}, hitting the creature squarely in the chest. It was no true flame, but it certainly burned like it was, and the Spawn shrieked in agony as the fell curse began to consume its being. With blazing eyes more like burning than blood, the justiciar snarled a challenge to the second Spawn, daring it to challenge her ^{[Knight, Challenging Mark]}. Despite the terror that could be seen even in its inhuman eyes, the strength of Sylvari's call to action could not be ignored, and it launched itself with fury into her, only to be sent flying back bathed in light as the golden shield Sarne gifted exploded in holy fury.

Sarne used the tree to stand up he was behind Sylvari. He smiled as light poured from his wounds as they healed. Sarne was thankful for Sylvari. Her stance of never giving up standing her ground. Sarne was proud to call her friend. He had enough of this evil and Sarne was about to repay Murkwood Spawns for their deeds.

[1] Sarne's sword appeared in his hand. Sarne had lost it when he got hit. But his sword is never far away. Sarne lifted it into the air. [2] Sarne called down a beam of light, pure energy cascading down from the sky. This light will cover the area with the Murkwood Spawns, filling it with light. The light burned like the sun the Murkwood Spawns inside of it, scorching their skin and burning their leaves and branches. They burst into flames.

The first one immediately fell to the ground screeching and rolling. Then just stopped moving as it and everything around it burned in the light. The second Murkwood Spawn tried to move out of the light by backing up. It too was enough in fame as it burned in the light. the second Murkwood Spawn was screeching and crying in the fire from the sky. It stumbled and fell barely being able to move as it burned in the light.

This was over Sarne waited to see how Sylvari was going to end this as the light started to fade. the ground around them was still smoking most things had run away so Sarne was not worried about burning the animals in the area or any living thing.

"Thank you Sylvari, now lets end them friend," remarked Sarne now standing on his own.

[1] Spell blade Always There
[2] Piercing Light

Sylvari gave her friend a predatory smile, her ivory fangs on full display, at his encouraging words. Seeing her foe barely holding on, Sylvari decided to indulge a bot of her wild fury, to exorcise the demons of hatred that currently held her heart for her frustration at the Spawn's trespasses against her comrade. Sylvari threw down her battered shield and dropped her mighty warhammer, replacing them with blackened, wispy claws that grew over her fingers ^{[Eldritch Claws]}. Calling upon the powers of her vampiric curse, Sylvari's already prominent fangs extended even further to be a full set of deadly tusks ^{[Fang Graft]}, unable to properly fit in her mouth, causing the vampiress to advance forward like a wraith, with her mouth open, tongue lolling out and saliva dripping down like rainfall.

With an otherworldly agility, she leapt up, a full eight feet into the air ^{[Bull's Strength]}, despite her plate armor ^{[Knight, Light as a Feather]}, to land on the Spawn's shoulders as it stumbled to its feet. Its screams of alarm turned to ones of agony, as the predator on its back sunk dark talons into each of its eyes, digging in to prevent ejection from the creature's bucking in desperation. Ghastly fangs descended on the monster's face, digging in and ripping out chunks of barky flesh. Given the hardened substance of the thing's skin, progress was slow going, but Sylvari, in her frenzied state, certainly did not lack for enthusiasm. Her fangs came down again and again, ripping the creature's face to shreds bit by agonizing bit.