Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter XII: Revolutions
in Progress
El v e n Politics
The Elves of Anaereth are divided over the issue of what to
do with the Vaubon twins. The Glamourweavers of Galadrin
see Marianne as a potentially useful tool in the court of Duke
Tancred, especially with her twin brother embedded amongst
the nobility. However, in order to gain Lady Enreth’s blessing to
return Jean-Michel, Alonara was forced to position the boy as a
future threat to Athel Loren’s security. This of course prompted
cries for the boy to be killed, but Lady Enreth ruled in Alonara’s
favour.
Although Cerulan loves Alonara, his first loyalty is to Loec the
Trickster God. So when Zephyr told Cerulan that Jean-Michel
must remain in Loren to satisfy Loec’s will, Cerulan was forced
to oppose his beloved companion’s plan. Cerulan represents the
moderate faction among Anaereth’s Elves. He is willing to let
Marianne leave and Jean-Michel live, but the boy must remain
forever in a secluded grove with the spirit Bhati. Cerulan will
harm Marianne if necessary to enforce Loec’s decree, but he will
not turn against Alonara.
After Cerulan delivers Loec’s decree to Lady Enreth, she changes
her decision in favour of keeping Jean-Michel. Alonara would
still like for Jean-Michel to escape, but she doesn’t wish to
create tension between the Glamourweavers and the Yew Court.
Therefore, Alonara reluctantly concedes to Cerulan’s proposal
for compromise. Alonara respects the spirit Zephyr and the old
traditions, but she has divined that Isha has a greater plan for
the boy, which the herald of Loec wouldn’t understand. Therefore,
she will subtly aid in the twins’ escape if presented with
an opportunity. Alonara has no qualms about defying the spirit
Bhati.
• If the PCs are abandoned by Cerulan, go to “Damsel in Distress”
after 1 hour of wandering.
• If Cerulan succeeds in separating the twins, Jean-Michel is
returned to Zephyr, who in turn delivers the boy to Bhati. Marianne
is led back to the House of Galadrin with the PCs, 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).
Da m s e l in Distress
Time: PCs travel alone for 1 hour after visiting the House of
Galadrin, House of Enreth, Scrying Pool or Strangle Wood
Locations: Forest near Scrying Pool (4), House of Enreth (3) or
Strangle Wood (8)
This encounter is most likely to occur either during or immediately
after “Guests of the Elves”. After entering Loren, the PCs
were shadowed by 3 Lilids awaiting an opportunity to ambush
them. One of the Lilids tries to bait the travellers by adopting
Maiden Form, while the other two hide nearby in Tree Form
(see Dryads, pg. 97). The baiting Lilid appears as a human Grail
Damsel entangled in thickets, crying “help…help me!” in Bretonnian.
It cannot speak any Bretonnian beyond basic mimicry
of its former victims.
Ta k i n g t h e Ba i t
PCs must pass a Hard (-20) Perception Test to notice the
Damsel’s disguise. Spotting the 2 hidden Lilids requires an Opposed
Perception Test against their Concealment 80%. When
someone approaches within 8 yards of the illusory Damsel,
the 2 hidden Lilids shift to War Form and charge, triggering
immediate Fear Tests. The “Damsel” also feigns fright and tears
herself free of the thickets before fleeing into the woods. The 2
fighting Lilids will flee if reduced to 50% of their Wounds or
harmed with fire. Pursuers are led to Strangle Wood through the
Shadow Walk (pg. 33).
Ze p h y r ’s Ba r g a i n
After the ambush, Zephyr announces his arrival with eerie,
child-like laughter. He observes wryly that the PCs appear to
have found themselves in trouble. If the Riddle of Zephyr wasn’t
answered previously, he asks it now (see sidebar, pg. 128).
• If the riddle was answered correctly, Zephyr might help PCs
find Marianne. In exchange for a promise that they will never
return to the Halls of Anaereth, Zephyr provides one of the following
directions:
o Encountered En Route to Scrying Pool: Zephyr
tells the characters: “Stay your course, and make
haste!” PCs might catch up to the twins at the Scrying
Pool if they haven’t been delayed significantly.
o Encountered Elsewhere: Zephyr says: “Follow the
second cloud to the left of yonder rise, and carry on
straight until nightfall.” An Outdoor Survival Test or
Easy (+20) Navigation Test leads PCs to the Sacred
Yew Grove (6) if they follow these directions.
• If the riddle was not answered correctly, Zephyr beckons them
to follow. After several hours of hiking, the party finds itself lost
in Strangle Wood (8) with Zephyr nowhere to be seen.
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