Chapter 22

The route back to the lycan camp was becoming a familiar one already given their repeated treks to and from Coastall to the treeline of the Wilds. Each time they would stop along the same section of river to camp and fish. Grok was getting bigger everyday. They had decided to purchase the little Garg a stockpile of his own high quality meats with their new found wealth.

Riakon was worried his little buddy wasn’t getting enough to eat as he was a rapidly growing boy. In fact, eating and sleeping was pretty much all Grok did on any given day. Gargs had a nifty ability to completely digest anything organic. However, they were strict carnivores, which meant they would refuse to eat anything plant based. In the event some got in their mouths they would spit it out as if it was the worst thing they had ever eaten.

Once they got situated Roden was excited to try out his new Adventure domain spell. It took ten minutes for him to work through the spell. It wasn’t a ritual like his ward. It just took that much time to craft the framework of the spell out of magic. It was in the midst of casting that Roden got a better idea of what he was doing.

When he started casting, he had very little idea what was going to be created by the spell other than a place to stay. It was during the process of laying out the spell’s matrix that he realized he could create anything he wanted as long as it adhered to the restrictions of the spell. He knew what he wanted instantly.

The minutes he spent casting felt like hours as he carefully planned and designed what he wanted from the spell. When the structure began materializing, it started with thick roots that grew out of the ground that converged and formed the trunk of a wide tree. As the tree grew it sprouted a myriad of branches that reached out in all directions. At first glance, it looked like any old tree until Roden grasped the gnarled knot protruding from the trunk of the tree and pulled. The trunk swung open the knot acting like a doorknob to the secret door within the trunk's surface.

Inside was a circular room about eight feet across. There was a kitchen table and chairs. Along the wall was a fireplace with no chimney, the absence of smoke in the cozy room gave away the magical nature of the flames. Roden had to descend a few stairs to reach the space. Riakon and Errrkkkk crowded around the door as he entered the room. It had little decor, but the walls themselves seemed to be crafted from the tree itself. The floor was even done in a snazzy dark hardwood and a forest green run laid in front of the fireplace. The two men stood at the door mouths agape.

“And wait, there’s more!” Roden said putting on his best infomercial voice.

He strode over to the center of the far wall and pulled a dangling cord. A hatch opened above him and a ladder dropped down. He quickly scampered up to see the second of the rooms. This room was identical in shape, but was furnished as a bedroom, complete with bed, trunk, and fireplace. On the wall opposite the fireplace was a door. When Roden opened the door he found himself stepping out onto a large branch. It served as a walkway that led to a small treehouse nestled among the green leaves of the canopy.

The room among the leaves was still part of the tree and was covered in smaller branches and leaves. This room was yet another bedroom completely identical to the first albeit for the two hatches. One was in the floor and served as another entrance and exit with a knotted rope that could be lowered to ground level. The other hatch was in the ceiling and led to the roof of the room. As Roden led his companions up the ladder he said,

“Errrkkkk this one's for you.”

The round roof had raised edges giving it a bowl shape. It was completely covered from above by the tallest branches of the tree, and wholly concealed by its greenery.

“I know it’s not a homemade nest, but I figure it’ll do in a pinch and you can always make it better if you…” Roden was cut off as the birdman gave him a crushing hug.

“It's perfect, cacaw.” his voice cracking ever so slightly.

“That is some view.” Riakon said, looking out towards the sea. From their treetop vantage they could just make out the colors of the setting sun on the calm waters.

Their first night in the tree house was a game changer for everyone. Dinner was a breeze with the magical fireplace and a table. After dinner, they all went up to the nest to take in the night sky. Errrkkkk even brought out his project plant to take in the cool night. The vast majority of the time, just the top half of the branch stuck out of Errrkkkk’s pack while they moved about from place to place. Sometimes Errrkkkk would leave it in their room at the Golden Dew.

Compared to Grok it didn’t look like the branch had grown at all. It did however, have the tiniest little buds just starting to form, signally the promise of more branches to come. When it was time to turn in for the night, Errrkkkk naturally took the nest. While Riakon took the branch room with Grok, who found his spot sprawled out in front of the fireplace. Roden took the trunk room above the kitchen. Roden felt much safer in the treehouse when trying to sleep. There was something about being surrounded by a magical tree and sleeping behind a secret door with a lock that makes one sleep easier.

Everyone woke up renewed. The night in the tree house was a massive improvement when compared to sleeping on bedrolls. After gathering their belongings the party set out for another long day of travel. They didn’t arrive at the lycan camp until mid evening. They were greeted warmly by the villagers as they entered the camp. Most were sitting at low tables in front of their homes and gave a wave. The men dropped off various sacks of supplies.

The three men had decided they would grab some extra things like rice, ale, oil, exotic spices and herbs from the Coastall markets to bring to the village as a gift. They brought the last sack to Mu’tumbo’s tent. When they peered inside Mu’tumbo was seated on the cushions around the small fire. A haze filled the upper levels of the teepee accompanied by the skunky aroma Roden began to associate with Mu’tumbo specifically.

“Ah, mai brodas! Sidon. com smoke sontin.”

All three men couldn’t sit down fast enough. Before anything else was said Mu’tumbo had a spliff in rotation.

“We brought your sugar.” Riakon said before taking a drag.

“Awe you guys are wey dey best. I get been dying for some gud puff puffs.”

Everyone stared at him blankly, Errrkkkk looked between Mu’tumbo and the joint in his talons. It took a moment for Mu’tumbo to register the confusion.

“No bi fireweed ya mumus, dem be little balls for dough.”

“Ooooohhhhhh.”, they said in unison followed by the ever present “cacaw”.

Roden took a long drag and spoke through the smoke “So Mu’tumbo, what’s the plan for the gathering?”

“ahhh di gathering na going be tomorrow night wen di moon na high. Many for we go go di haus for di ancestors and perform di ceremony. Which for you na going to call di spirits?"

The three men looked at each other their eyes drooping ever so slightly, when Riakon piped up, “I will call the spirits.”

“then you go tanda wit me as we bring dem for. You two go de a part for di chant. Juss follow along wit di odas and you go de fine.”

“How does calling the spirits work?”

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“I go do di dey call through you and you go do di dey ask.”

“I think I understand. Then I am asking the spirits where to find Seven?”

“Dat na wetin I am thinking.”

“Maybe ask if they know how to beat him, cacaw.”

“Or a way to track him.”

“it na possible di spirits no sabi di ansa to ya kweshion.”

“Any help they can give is worth the try.”

The remainder of the night was spent relaxing with the villagers and Mu’tumbo. Laughing and enjoying the treats the villagers put together from the supplies the men brought from Coastall. That night Roden set up their tree house and they slept soundly as preparations for the gathering didn’t begin in earnest until the following morning.

The preparations were an extra addition to their usual preparation for the full moon. Roden found it a bit ironic that an entire camp of lycanthropes would celebrate the full moon, but he could understand the sentiment. Every full moon night where they didn’t end up turning into an uncontrollable beast was a night to celebrate.

Roden knew the barrier that covered the village and surrounding forest was ancient magic established to create a haven for the lycans. In the days of old, a long forgotten church hunted their kind to what seemed like extinction. Even during the Dark Times, they were hunted ruthlessly by the minions of Orvell the Lich. Mu’timbo’s clan had established this place as a sanctuary so no one would be caught out in the night.

As the day moved into evening Roden grew nervous. He was pretty sure things were going as planned, but that meant things were about to go horribly wrong in just a few hours and there was nothing he could do about it. He just had to be prepared for what was to come. For him this was a true butterfly effect moment. If his presence here changed anything it would have a massive ripple effect through the world and the campaign.

When the sun neared the horizon and the sky turned to shades of pink, red and orange it was time for the pre-gathering events. There was traditional music and dancing around the fire. The villagers who would take part in the ceremony drank a special drink that tasted like cocoa and paint thinner. When it was finally time and the moon was near its peak in the sky Mu’tumbo rose and guided the men into the circular building known as the home of the ancestors.

Everyone entered wearing simple homespun tunics and loin cloths. Riakon, Errrkkkk, and Roden had left their belongings in the tree house except Riakon. Who had the habit of always carrying his hammer around, even in the village. He was reluctant to leave it behind, but Roden convinced him it was necessary and had him leave it just outside the door of the hut.

Inside the home, was a round room. The walls were covered in bones inscribed with various symbols, which would have been alarming on its own if it weren't for the massive skeleton that hung from the ceiling of the structure.

At first glance it appeared to be of a huge wolf, but closer inspection revealed it to have some abnormal features including a third eye socket in the center of the forehead. The hindlegs were distinctly lupine in construction, but the foreclaws were more bearlike. The teeth of the skull were more saber-toothed tiger than like any wolf the party had ever seen.

The villagers entered and took their places along the walls in a U with Mu’tumbo in the open section of the shape. Each villager took a long bone hanging from the wall and held it like a clarinet waiting for their cue. The room had a small fire in the center. As soon as the door shut them in, Mu’tumbo begin stoking the fire before adding powders and herbs from a bag on his waist. Smoke began to fill the upper levels of the chamber.

The villagers began to blow into the bone instruments creating a low resonant sound that vibrated Roden’s bones. The sound was deep and seemed to cause the very air to shake. As the song grew in intensity, Mu’tumbo took a vial and doused the fire with its contents casting the entire room in a dense acrid smoke. Mu’tumbo’s voice cut through the darkness,

“Oh great ancestors we dey call you to gather, we get a fren who needs ya guidance. Abeg com and ansa im kweshion.”

At his words the smoke began to swirl. Mu’tumbo brought Riakon forward into the center of the smoke. It whipped around him violently, it engulfed his entire form just as the fire erupted, casting off the smoke. The room was a complete haze.

There was no evidence they were in a building as the smoke covered the structure as thick as the densest fog on a moonless night. All Roden could see was Riakon in the center illuminated by the visage of a dragon’s head made of roiling flames. Riakon looked on stoically. He had prepared himself for anything and despite the surprise he held firm. A voice came from the flames in a hiss,

“Whoooo caaalllllssss meeeee?”

“I called you, I have some questions and was hoping you could answer them.”

“Ahhhhh, and whoooo are yoooouuuu?”

“I am Riakon, paladin of Era.”

At the sound of the Goddess’s name the flames grew brighter and sizzled,

“Do not speak her name in my presence.” the dragon snapped, the voice taking on a more feminine tone.

“Can you answer my questions?”

“Haaaa there we have it. The thing is, which questions, hmmm?” the flames began twisting and snaking in front of his face.

“I have answers to so many of your questions. Even the ones you keep deep down.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know everything there is to know about you, son.”

“Who are you?”

“Hahaha, I am the great dragon goddess, Tiamat and I am your mother.” She said the last words with a firmness reserved for stating facts. Her words left Riakon stunned.

“No…”

“Yeessss!”

“You were taken from me! But here you are a grown man.” the flames moved like a serpent around Riakon to his back, “But, how?”

“One day, we will be together again. Until then, here my son, know that your mother’s love is always with you.” With that the flaming mouth opened wide and bit down on Riakon’s shoulder. Riakon felt the flames burn his scales and flesh. He could feel a power leech into his bones. His whole being shuddered as he felt a myriad of sensations that ended in a shock of electricity. He dropped to one knee.

“There my son, now you will always have your mother with you. I must go, I will see you again. Come find me and we can be a family.”

“ Wait! I need your help to find Seven. He’s a werewolf…”

“Oooh my boy, I have helped you already. He is coming to you now!” With those final words the flames rose up and plunged down into the fire from whence they came leaving the room in complete darkness.

A loud bang came from the door of the house followed by a vicious snarl. Each bang seemed to rouse the villagers who had played their song through the entire ceremony. The smoke dissipated revealing the structure once again. Roden reached out with his spell and stirred the fire to life once more casting the room in light. The door cracked under the weight of the next blow. Errrkkkk hopped to his feet and helped Riakon up. Roden joined them, the three of them standing resolute, the fire at their feet.

“Get back! We will handle this, cacaw.”

No sooner than the words left his beak, did the door burst into splinters. In the doorway stood a hulking figure with glowing bright red eyes that seemed to float in the shadows. It opened its toothy maw, drew in a breath and unleashed a deafening snarl that sent shockwaves through the hut. Everyone in the room was launched back into the far wall. With blinding speed, the beast rushed in and snatched Mu’tumbo by the throat and pinned him to the wall.

“Finally, I can take what is mine old man.” The figure of Seven was that of a nearly twelve foot tall werewolf with whitish fur. His voice was a cross between a wicked wolf’s growl and a grave man’s. In a flash, Seven squeezed his claw and pulled. Blood scattered across the ground painting everything in red. A cacophony exploded in the room as everyone moved. The villagers made a break for the door, Seven clearly too much for them to have any effect.

Riakon followed on their heels, protecting their retreat and going for his hammer. Errrkkkk leapt at Seven, his aura crackling with rage. Without his staff, Errrkkkk delivered a series of blows that struck his target. Any other foe would have at least flinched at his strikes, but Seven merely backhanded Errrkkkk with his skillet sized claw, knocking him back. Roden knew the situation was dire, so he cast Basking Embrace and pumped enough magic into it to grant the effect to the party and Mu’tumbo.

The spell’s shroud surrounded everyone and Roden could see Mu’tumbo’s wound close and breath fill his chest. Seven’s eyes locked in on Roden, but before he could act, he was met with Riakon’s charge. A flurry of sanctified hammer strikes slammed into the werewolf, each blow bolstered by wisps of flames, sending a ripple of pain through the wolfman.

In the face of Errrkkkk and Riakon’s assault Seven sucked in a breath and unleashed another shockwave. Both men were blown back despite their best efforts. Their fiery cloaks took the brunt of the blast and vanished. Roden placed a hand on the wall of the hut and drew the branches up his arm forming his Grove Armor. He held out his other hand while shouting, “To arms!” his golden sword descending into his hand. Roden had to grit his teeth and steel himself. He really did not want to rush a twelve foot werewolf.

Every fiber of his being told him to get the fuck out of there. He remembered what Bo had taught him. He gave himself over to the spell through the sword in his hand. The blade filled him with the instincts of countless warriors who had come before him. He wasn’t a warrior by trade, but he had to do what needed to be done. After all, if he failed it might cost him his life.

He felt himself move, at his first step he opened his eyes and prepared a thrust. However, instead of continuing his charge, he thrust out his sword and let it fly from his hands guided by his magic. It caught Seven off guard and struck him in the abdomen. He let out a howl of pain before lunging towards Roden. He was met by Errrkkkk, who swooped in from above in a falling axe kick at his head and neck. The wolf managed to raise an arm to block the strike, but its power knocked him off balance. As Seven stumbled, Errrkkkk flipped, bringing his hands together,

“Caaaaaaaaa, Caaaaaaawwwwwww!!!!!!”driving his signature chi blast straight into Seven.

Before the blast cleared Seven cut through the beam. His claw raked across Errrkkkk’s chest, before he could dodge Seven was on top of him, his jaws going at his throat. Riakon swarmed the pair. He raised his hammer high and brought it down in an arc. The smiting blow exploded rocking the hut and sent his brother’s attacker tumbling. Roden took the opportunity to call his blade back and unleashed a series of strikes at the downed opponent. He hacked at the monster like he was chopping wood for a fire. He struck flesh, but each strike barely cut into its flesh, leaving shallow cuts across his back.

Roden didn’t see the blow that sent him flying through the air and into the far wall of the hut. His vision swam as he gathered himself. He looked down and saw his breastplate had been cracked to shit and barely qualified as armor anymore. Roden could see Errrkkkk and Riakon stood shoulder to shoulder in the center of the room, both men ready to clash with the foe before them. When Seven began to laugh. It was nearly a bark when he raised his hands and howled.

The skeleton on the ceiling began to rattle and shudder. The bones ripped themselves from their tether and flew toward the wolfman. The massive skull thrashed about the roof cracking and snapping as it rocked in its constraints. When it finally broke free it slammed into the wall above the door before heading towards its master, the spinal column slithered behind.

The various bones formed around Seven in a sort of exoskeleton. The glow of his red eyes intensified and spread to the bones themselves. The skeleton was too large to assemble in its natural form; instead it encased Seven from head to toe resembling a suit of armor. The skull slid over his own like a macabre helmet. Roden knew the real fight was about to begin.