Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

he can guide them to Enreth and Marianne, but only if they
agree to leave Jean-Michel behind.
If PCs agree to Cerulan’s terms they are given beds in a guest
pavilion. Next morning, Alonara and Cerulan join the PCs for
breakfast and remind them ominously: “don’t ask too many
questions – both for the children’s safety and your own”.
Cerulan then blindfolds the PCs and leads them into the woods.
During the 3-hour hike, Cerulan probes the PCs on their
willingness to return home without Jean-Michel, and abandons
them in the woods if they seem disagreeable.
Ho u s e o f So n g a n d Da n c e
PCs arriving at the House of Enreth (3) with Cerulan are introduced
to his brother Radulan, a Bladesinger of Loec who taught
Marianne how to sing after she finished her magical training.
Radulan informs Cerulan (in Eltharin) that Marianne was seen
by his Wardancers at the Sacred Yew Grove several hours previously,
with Jean-Michel. Marianne claimed she was taking her
brother back to the Otherworld (a half-truth).
Be c o m i n g Lo s t
The following special rules apply to characters who become Lost
in the Forest (pg. 56) or Lost in Time and Space! (pg. 58).
Lo s t in t h e Fo r e s t
Characters who become Lost in the Forest are guided by Loren’s
sentience into Strangle Wood (8), where they may attempt one
Navigation Test per day to either exit Athel Loren or return to a
previously-visited location. On a failed test, they simply wander
in circles.
Ariel’s Mercy
Wood Elves or characters wearing Fay-blessed laurels who survive
3 days of being lost in Strangle Wood attract the attention
of Ariel, Queen of the Wood (pg. 19). The faerie queen appears
before them like a mirage, before opening a pathway to Le
Preneur and instructing them to “heed this lesson”. By this time,
Zephyr has already delivered Jean-Michel to Bhati’s grove, and
Marianne has been detained at the House of Enreth.
Lo s t in Tim e a n d Sp a c e!
Chapter XII: Revolutions
in Progress
Characters who become Lost in Time and Space! during this
adventure emerge from a thick fog near the castle at Misty
Hollow (5). If PCs haven’t yet played the “Guests of the Elves”
encounter, they might encounter Marianne and her brother
sneaking past the castle en route to the Sacred Yew Grove (6). If
Marianne has already been through Misty Hollow, the PCs will
eventually be noticed by Spellsingers and brought to the House
of Enreth (3).
Cerulan instructs PCs to stay at the House of Enreth. Meanwhile,
he follows Marianne to ensure that Jean-Michel is indeed
returned. PCs may either linger at Enreth for several hours until
Cerulan returns, or attempt to steal away and find Marianne
themselves. The Sacred Yew Grove can only be located with
a Magical Sense Test, or by making a Shadowing or Follow
Trail Test to pursue Cerulan. Unless the PCs intervene, Cerulan
returns with a tearful Marianne and announces that “the boychild
has been taken care of”. Cerulan handed Jean-Michel over
to Zephyr, who in turn dutifully delivered him to Bhati.
Arriving Without Cerulan: PCs are greeted by a suspicious
Radulan and his Wardancer troupe. Parties without any Wood
Elves are detained under the great yew (Marianne may also be
detained here, if she wasn’t found soon enough). Otherwise, PCs
may wander around the settlement while their case is debated in
the Yew Court:
• If Cerulan’s or Alonara’s names are mentioned, Radulan offers
to escort PCs back to the House of Galadrin.
• If Marianne or Jean-Michel’s names are mentioned, Radulan
offers to take Wood Elf PCs to the Sacred Yew Grove where
Marianne was recently seen. Non-Elves must stay at Enreth
meanwhile, but may explore the settlement under the watchful
eye of a chaperone.
• If the PCs arrive with Marianne or Jean-Michel, the Yew
Court’s decision will depend on whether Cerulan has previously
arrived ahead of them. If he has, the twins are separated and the
PCs must return with Marianne to the House of Galadrin, and
from there to Le Preneur. However, at the house of Galadrin,
Marianne attempts a daring nighttime excursion to the Scrying
Pool to rescue her brother (with or without the PCs). If Cerulan
has not yet informed the Yew Court of the spirits’ decree, Radulan
offers to escort the party back to Le Preneur. Marianne’s
willingness to leave depends on whether or not the Lost Boys
have already been rescued.
• Non-Elven PCs who are not wearing Fay-blessed laurel
wreaths must stand trial for espionage. Those found guilty are
executed.
After the Encounter
Unless the adventurers can find Marianne and Jean-Michel
on their own (see Zephyr’s Bargain, below), they are likely to
be escorted back to the House of Galadrin and the Sentinel
eventually (without Jean-Michel). At this point, players might
attempt to make a break for it. Previous interactions with the
Elves should determine whether escaping parties will be hunted
mercilessly by Cerulan and Radulan’s Wardancer troupe. Cerulan
will only chase parties into Strangle Wood if they are in
possession of Jean-Michel.
• If the PCs refuse Cerulan’s offer, Alonara tells them during a
private moment that they might find Marianne at the Scrying
Pool. She can’t take them there herself, but instructs them to
“follow the stream south”. Go to “Damsel in Distress” after 1
hour of following the stream.
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