[Somewhere between here and there]

Ah things are finally starting to move. Almost as soon as I inserted Reiza into Greenwood Forest the gods started scrambling around. The reaction is akin to when one kicks an ant hill. Within each boundary resources and people are being moved at a frantic pace. I am sure that they suspect my involvement and are preparing for the next calamity to strike. Joke’s on them though because I don’t really plan on meddling any further at this point.

It appears that all of the gods have figured out the disturbance came from the heart of Greenwood Forest thus the groups of agents and spies converging on Greenwood village. None of the god’s power pieces are moving so it seems that they are going to act cautiously until they figure out what is happening. Boy do I bet they will be surprised when they find out exactly what I’ve done with Reiza.

Speaking of Reiza, she has made a truly startling amount of progress. I was not expecting her to get the blessing from the heart tree and she seems to have a knack for lucking into things or figuring things out in strange ways.

The stunt she pulled with unlocking her pure mana affinity was shocking to say the least. To be able to discover mana channels from just setting up a healing network, amazing. I haven’t seen anyone unlock a pure affinity in at least a thousand years or so.

On top of all that she even learned how to use wind magic from the god damned wind! Her connection to nature is just baffling as seen by that little song and dance she put on.

Out of all the things she has done singing that song was the most interesting. I knew they existed, but I don’t think anyone has ever been able to find them. If she knew the power that could really be brought to bear… it could cause a calamity.

At the rate she is improving she will surpass those twice her age in short order and will be well on her way to becoming one of the most powerful players in the game. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Sitting back, I watch the board and await the next moves.

[High Temple of Radiance]

After a mad dash through the apprentice quarters, across a large courtyard, and up several sets of stairs Mya arrived at the main temple. Pausing for a minute to catch her breath and compose herself she pushes open a small door leading to the high priest’s offices.

Inside a large richly appointed room greeted her. Paintings of the goddess Radiance preforming miracles adorned the walls while thick planks polished to a bright shine covered the floor. Only three doors exited the room, one to the outside, one to the high priest’s office, and one into the main prayer hall. Blocking the way to the high priest’s office was a large heavy desk where a pretty receptionist sat.

Nerves fraying and nervousness twisting her gut Mya approaches the receptionist’s desk. “H- hello I- I need to see the high priest.” She stammers, twisting her hands behind her back. “Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist asks in a board voice not looking up from cleaning her nails. “N- no bu-““No appointment, no seeing the high priest.” The receptionist replies cutting Mya off.

Swallowing hard Mya tries again, “Bu- but it’s very important.” Letting out a long overly dramatic sigh the receptionist looks up. “What could a mere acolyte have to say that is soooo important.” She asked while putting extra emphasis on the so, to show just how little she believed Mya’s claim.

Shifting nervously from foot to foot, Mya pulls down the collar of her tunic revealing the faintly glowing sun that had appeared over her heart. The instant the receptionist sees the mark her face pales. “ A- a- d-divine- one moment please.” She stutters before quickly rising and almost running through the door to the high priest’s office.

From outside Mya could hear a rapid hushed conversation being carried out. Having never been to see the high priest and not having a clue about how she could carry out her goddesses’ mission she only grew more and more nervous. Luckily she wasn’t left to stew for long as the receptionist quickly reemerged from the office and motioned for Mya to enter.

The high priest’s office was just as richly appointed as the previous room. Behind the polished desk hung a large painting of the goddess, her arms spread in welcome with the sun shining brightly behind her. The floor was covered in a thick plush carpet, and shelves were laden with all manner of holy artifacts and scrolls. Behind the desk sat the high priest. He was six and a half feet tall with a muscular build gained from years of adventuring, long flowing brown hair spilled out from under his ornately decorated headpiece, and dark brown eyes peered out of a face that looked remarkably like that of a man in his early thirties for one who was actually over 100 years old.

“Welcome acolyte Mya please do come in and have a seat.” He said gesturing to a chair across from him. Having no other option Mya sat. “Good. Now Nissa tells me that Radiance has blessed you with her mark, would you mind if I saw it?” It was really an order but asking in the way that he did made Mya a little less nervous. Just as she had done with the receptionist Mya pulled down the collar of her tunic to reveal the mark. After looking at the mark for several long seconds he leaned back in his chair steepling his hands and staring intently at Mya.

“Would I be correct in assuming that the message her holiness gave you has to do with the recent disturbance the world just experienced?” He asked casually. “Y- yes sir.” Mya stutters in reply. “Hmmm did she say what it was or have a suspicion of what caused it?” he asked a little more interested. Swallowing hard and knowing she was about to drop a bombshell Mya whispered her reply, “She- she suspects that The Overseer was involved.”

Instantly the high priest went stiff. A long silence stretched out as he seemed to be deep in thought. Closing his eyes for a long moment he seemed to gather his thoughts before speaking, “If The Overseer is truly involved then things are much worse than any of us have feared. Tell me what you mission is and you will have all of our resources available to you.” “I am to travel to Greenwood village and attempt to find out what the cause of the disturbance is. Radiance said that I was to be the only one to go as sending too many resources would lead to some… unpleasantness.” Mya replied grimacing slightly. “Very well then let us plan for your investigation.”

The high priest rose from his seat and motioned for Mya to follow him through a door that she had previously not noticed. Following a short corridor, the two emerged into a large room filled with charts, papers, maps, and the high priest’s closest advisors.

The next hours passed in a blur for Mya as all the details for her trip were debated, discussed, and settled upon. With the gravity of the situation it was decided that she would travel via teleportation array to the small temple that was in the village. This was exciting news for Mya as usually the teleportation array was saved for only the highest ranking members. After her method of travel was finalized maps were poured over and a long debate about what she would do upon reaching the town commenced.

At the end of the discussion it was determined that she would likely be forced to enter Greenwood Forest. To this end she was to take on the guise of a cleric looking to join an adventuring team for experience. Her gear would be mid-level to avoid drawing suspicion while providing her the best possible advantages. Her housing would be covered by the temple while she was in the village and additional gear would be provided for her time in the forest.

After it was all said and done Mya’s nervousness was replaced with excitement. She was about to go on her first adventure, and she was eager to get started. Just as she was getting ready to rush to the teleportation array she was stopped as an advisor dropped a large pile of papers, a heavy journal, and a small silver ring in front of her.

“What’s this?” She asked hesitantly. “This is a spatial ring. It holds all of the gear that we discussed and will help you greatly in the near future.” He answered holding up the ring. Picking up the heavy journal he continued, “This is a journal. You will record everything in it. Your actions, the things you do, and what you learn. It will be used to generate the records of your adventure and its contents considered for any possible rewards you may qualify for upon your return.” Setting the journal aside he pointed to the papers, “And finally this is all the paperwork you need to fill out before you can leave.” With that he turned and left.

Mya stared dumbly at the literal mountain of paperwork in front of her. Letting out a sigh of resignation she grabbed the first form and began to fill it out. Even in a place where magic existed the world still ran on paperwork.

[Greenwood village]

Will and Adam sit at their usual table in one corner of The Broken Branch, the town’s local tavern. Today the tense silence of the night before is gone, replaced not by the usual jovial, carefree atmosphere but something close to it. The people of Greenwood village being used to hardship didn’t let the strange phenomenon of the previous night keep them down for long. They were still nervous and a little wary but for the most part life continued as usual.

This was not the case for the brothers. Both being rather high ranking adventurers after reaching the 50th level, they were engrossed in a discussion about what they were going to do about the phenomenon.

“I think we should investigate whatever caused the disturbance and do so quickly.” Will asserted. He was a Ranger and a good one at that. There was no one in the area who could surpass his abilities with the bow and his skills in tracking. “I say that we should wait a little bit longer. Someone is sure to post a quest with the local guild office. If that happens, we can get some reward even if we find nothing.” Adam replied. He was a warrior and being less suited to life in a forest he was a bit more cautious.

Will thought for a minute about what his brother had said. It would be better for the both of them if they could turn their excursion into a guild sanctioned mission. Depending on what they found having the backing of the guild could be quite profitable. Sighing he replied, “I guess you’re right. It would be helpful to have the backing of the guild for this. Also depending on how the request is made we might even be able to get on a decent party which would help if we run into any trouble.”

“Exactly.” Adam replied, taking another swig of his drink. “I do see the need to move quickly as we don’t want a swarm of people to descend on this place and take the opportunity from us. There is a difference between being quick and being hasty though. If we wait just a little bit for the official quest to be posted we can pay the extra exclusivity fee and get all the benefits.”

Will sighed before nodding his head and agreeing with his brother. He wanted to go out now but his brother made some good points for holding off. “Well if there is a quest posted there is little chance for us to miss out on it. With the forest queens growing in power there are not many who are willing to brave the deeper parts of the forest. My tracking skills will be needed, and I don’t think anyone would turn away a warrior of your level.” Will said.

“Damn straight!” Adam cheered, smacking his brother playfully on the shoulder. “And don’t you think for a moment I would let you run off to do this on your own. We’ve been together from the beginning. You and me, partners for life.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, partner.” Will replied.

The two cheerfully clinked their mugs together before drinking. From there their conversation continued to happier subjects. Talking, drinking, and remembering the brothers laughed deep into the night.

Lilly was feeling rather nervous. She had spent the entire night and most of today trying to commune with nature in an attempt to learn what happened. Ever since the night that those strange waves of power had radiated through the forest things had been thrown into upheaval.

First, there was the craziness her pet panther had displayed. Running around in circles repeating the same phrase again and again. It had taken her nearly an hour to calm Sampsun down and he still wouldn’t answer her questions about what he had meant when he said, “she’s back.” The question of who “she” was weighed heavily on her. If this new person caused the ripples of power, then she was someone Lilly desperately hoped wasn’t an enemy. If she had been the target of that power, then Lilly hoped she was still alive.

After getting Sampsun settled Lilly had entered a deep meditation to try and gather more information from the forest. What she found there was just as distressing.

She had felt something great and old die. A beating heart in the tangled web of the forest had gone silent and now everything seemed to hang there, directionless. She didn’t know what had died but it had been a force of good. With its presence gone things would start to spiral downward soon enough. With nothing to appose them the forest queens would start to expand their territory.

The queens caused Lilly almost as much stress as the current situation. They were immensely powerful forces of darkness that killed everything that dared to cross them. One piece of good news she had been able to confirm from her meditation was that the queens were not responsible for what had happened. The source of the disturbance was beyond their territory, deep in the heart of the forest.

After confirming that things had been almost normal until about an hour ago when the entire forest had seemed to hold its breath. The birds went silent, the insects quit buzzing, and despite the wind picking up the trees refused to rustle. Then, a strange energy rippled ever so lightly through the air. It was nothing like what had happened before, this time it was gentle and rhythmic. It almost felt like music.

Lilly had strained to hear it but couldn’t make out any words, or even really hear it at all. She could however feel it. The tune was light and flowing. Caught up in something beautiful that tapped nature on a level she hadn’t known was possible Lilly listed. The feeling didn’t last long and the memory of what it had been fled just as fast. Despite trying her hardest Lilly just couldn’t remember the tune.

She didn’t know what to think of this last part. The feeling of the music had no ill intent behind it but it was a power she desperately wanted to learn about. Had it been caused by some type of beast or was it a natural phenomenon? Like the answers to her other questions the secret to this could only be found deeper in the forest.

Apart from these newest issues there were several older ones. The trees and earth had conveyed a feeling of sickness to her indicating the presence of a blight. Lilly could feel the trees dying slowly and knew that all too soon the blight would reach a critical mass and be near unstoppable. At that point the only solution would be to burn the infected area to ash, something she desperately wanted to avoid.

After the blight there were also whispers of an invading species. She couldn’t get answers as to what it was other than it didn’t belong.

She desperately wanted to go and find answers, but Lilly knew she couldn’t go alone. Her magic was good but to push into the heart of the forest she would need a team and a good one at that. It was going to be an expedition into lands that hadn’t been traveled in hundreds of years to fix a wide range of problems. They would encounter powerful beasts, fight an unknown plague, discover lost treasures or power, and find answers to things they didn’t know the questions for. An experienced and balanced team was definitely needed.

Rising to her feet Lilly called to her panther, “Come Sampson. We are headed back to town.”

If she wanted to gather a team to explore the forest there was only one place to go, the guild. She would need to post a quest… and do a lot of paperwork, uhhhg.