Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Lost Heir of Dukae Tancred II: Einhard has been lost within
the Naiads’ watery realm for eight years. Einhard’s grail quest
required him to locate a peasant girl named Giselle whom he
had loved as a boy. Class differences had forced the children to
meet secretly at the river where Giselle washed laundry. One
day, Einhard arrived to find Giselle’s laundry lying neatly folded
on the riverbank but the girl was nowhere to be found. Einhard
never forgot his childhood sweetheart, and fifteen years later the
Lady of the Lake beckoned him to find her.
When Einhard finally discovered the elusive Waterfall Palace, its
Naiads informed him that Giselle had become a talented prophetess.
Since her ability would be wasted as a court damsel in
modern Bretonnia when more troubled times lay ahead, Giselle
had chosen to enter the Cascade of Destiny. Einhard was offered
a choice: join Giselle in the Cascade of Destiny, or return to
Quenelles with no memory of either her or the Waterfall Palace.
Einhard chose to follow Giselle.
PCs may only rescue the couple by becoming Lost in Time
and Space! (page 58) or entering the Cascade of Destiny (see
Otherworld Portals, pg. 28). In the Naiads’ Otherworld realm,
Einhard and Giselle manifest as a talking fish and a mermaid.
Giselle will not leave unless persuaded that the fate of Bretonnia
is at stake, and Einhard will remain by her side. Naiads will
counter any attempt to remove the fated heroes against their will
– using force if necessary.
Chapter VII: The Forest of
Athel Loren
22. Council of Beasts
Navigation: Challenging (-10)
Forest Disposition: Neutral (0)
Magic: Lore of Beasts (+1)
Kindreds: Alter
Among the Ghur-infused birch glades, animals and Brúidd spirits
assemble to resolve inter-species conflicts and discuss their
relations with the Asrai. Stags enjoy the most influence, followed
by owls, eagles and bears. However, every wild creature has a
voice at the Council of Beasts. Chitters, squawks and roars are
translated by talking animals and Brúidd for the benefit of other
species. King Orion himself sometimes attends the council, and
Elven Beastfriends are also welcomed.
Cyanathair the Corruptor: Cyanathair wishes to bring great
corruption upon the furry gathering when he next returns.
23. The Bridge of Birds
Navigation: Challenging (-10)
Forest Disposition: Cold (-10)
Magic: Lore of Life (+1), Lore of Heavens (+1), Lore of Beasts
(+1)
Kindreds: Alter, Wild Rider, Wind Rider
At a nexus of arcane confluence between earthbound, waterborne
and wild magic, the river Grismerie is spanned by a great
suspension bridge. Thousands of birds circle above the site,
borne aloft by powerful updrafts. Several hundred more avian
visitors loiter atop the bridge’s elegant white towers. The Bridge
of Birds predates Elven memory, leading scholars to conclude
that its origins date back to the Old Ones.
By climbing the aethyric currents, winged creatures can attain
incredible altitudes. Warhawks can even soar to the edge of the
celestial realm above the clouds, although Great Eagles are the
only beasts capable of carrying a rider to that dizzying height.
Most of the airborne magic that rises from the Bridge of Birds
returns to earth miles away infused in raindrops.
24. King’s Glade
Navigation: Challenging (-10)
Forest Disposition: Neutral (0)
Magic: Lore of Beasts (+1), Lore of Life (+1)
Kindreds: Eternal, Glamourweave, Scout, Spellsinger, Warrior,
Waywatcher, Wild Rider
The massive oaks of King’s Glade have been magically transformed
by Treesingers into a hidden city. Camouflaged walkways
connect dwellings high above the forest floor, and earthen
chambers exist amongst the roots below. The city surrounds a
wide clearing from which the settlement originally earned its
name. This clearing was where Orion burned himself to ashes
and became immortalised as the first King of the Woods. Today,
the clearing is a sacred ritual ground, and also a council glade
where Ariel and Orion often hold court.
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