Root of the Beathacrann
he alchemist continued explaining to his martial colleague, “With samples we can learn more about it, we can develop alchemy that can affect it perhaps even kill it”. Looking back at his friend the adventurer was suddenly unsure why what was being suggested seemed so dangerous.

The alchemist continued to petition, “Its roots spread the entire length of the stinking swamps, you'll not need to go too deep. Far from Kerkastal and the tree itself you’ll find the smaller tap roots, thin finger sized growths where the Beathacrann is just taking hold of the land”. This was the best way he thought to himself, “Hmm, I see what you mean brother. The Beathacrann won’t be able to defend itself too well if my warband are just cutting off a few of its extremities but what about the Avalonians? Won’t the tree alert them when we start chopping at it and how will we know the root belongs to the tree?”

“Yes, valid points my friend” the alchemist replied thoughtfully. “You’ll need to first detect the sentience within the roots, detect the thinking, living presence of the tree. Then you can dig the root out and cut the samples off with confidence”. Walking over to the long wooden shelves covering the wall of his study the alchemist selected a vial of blue glass.

“Here, use this to detect the sentience of the Beathacrann in the roots” he said turning and handing the adventurer the vial. “The milky liquid you see in the vial will change colour if the root is of the tree”. Nodding in understanding he slipped the vial into his clothing, “and what of the children of Avalon, how do they know which is which? I dare say they will try to thwart us once they see what we’re doing.” The adventurer met his friends gaze directly waiting for the answer a second time.

Smiling the alchemist replied, “They of course need no such potion, a simple laying of hands on the roots will allow them to detect their beloved trees presence. And yes, the tree will warn them and they will protect it as best they can and hide the roots if at all possible.”

“However, my weapon wielding friend, you’ll not be massacred and nor should you seek to massacre them. We’re creating mischief and trying to learn about this foul tree, not starting another war.”

The words rang around him as he walked off, thoughts of the raid, the four samples asked for and the cutting at the Beathacrann already filling his mind. “This is exactly how wars start, this won’t be the last request I’ll warrant you” he said speaking to no one but the wind and without a word headed off to Avalon, warband in tow.

Saplings of Radika Dumu
Radika Dumu had always been a peaceful place. Merchants from around the Republic would call for fruits and wood used for making fishing boats and the beautiful buildings and temples. Here in the western part of the caliphate Muhad was safely within the borders and away from the other races and their too often warlike tendencies.

Muhad pruned the last of the sucker growths from the fruit trees of his father’s beloved orchard. Here in Radika Dumu the youngest of the litter were always given the lowest of tasks like this. For Muhad however the many days of wandering row upon row of well tended trees had been a pleasure, he easily understood how the Aurloks could form such a bond with nature.

Looking up at the sky he saw dusk was already beginning to arrive and soon it would be dark. He gathered his tools and the bundles of twigs he had removed, useful for kindling if nothing else, and in the growing darkness headed down towards the path home.

The path was in sight when unexpectedly a crack of a twig perhaps fifty feet away startled him then there was another to his left but this time closer. As Muhad tried to place the cause of the sound against his memories of animals the came out at night he never made the connection. From the darkness a figure rushed at him, startled he stood frozen to the ground.

The figure moved in closer to his companion, “Good kill”. Looking down at the young Khaliman the attacker replied flatly “he’s not dead, I can make him dead if you want?”, “no, no. We’re here for trees not trophies”. A moment later the two figures were joined by the rest of the warband.

“We’ve not got long before the family of this Khaliman come looking for him” one of the new arrivals stated. “So we better get the saplings and get home then hadn’t we?” retorted the attacker. “Which saplings?”, “Different ones! Now split up and get searching!”

Auroch Calf Capture
You arrive after being abruptly summoned just in time to hear a gnarly warrior conclude what must have been a heated debate. “Balance, it’s all about balance.” The conversation came to an end almost in perfect timing with your arrival. The elderly Alchemist who had been the focus of the warriors’ statement looked up towards you, the warrior turned “ah, here at last”. The warrior and Alchemist standing before you had clearly been more than engaged with each other and it was probably no more than ten minutes since the guard had come seeking you.

“Yes, excellent. Please do sit down with us. My friend here was just expressing herself as forcefully as she does with a blade.” A wry smile passing across the Alchemists face at the wary look shot at him by the warrior. “We have a job for you” said the warrior continuing as directly as before. “Yes, correct. We are in need of your assistance.” the Alchemist interjected.

“With respect, please tell me why I am here”.

The warrior laughed and slapping you on the back said “We want you to bag some bovine, are you up to a little Auroch calf capture?” she said continuing to laugh and slapping you again. “Aurochs?” you say in reply.

“Yes, Aurochs” the Alchemist continued, “The Aurlok kill only the older, larger cattle but of course those cattle were once calves. Hmm, yes, and the more we know about those calves the more we can consider our, options.” Seeing this had made things no clearer the warrior now spoke up “You and your Warband need head over to Itse Pilaya, capture the calves and bring them home alive, our cunning conjurer over here can then consider how best to kill or care for them.”

The warrior turned back to the Alchemist and started laughing again, “See what I did there?” she said obviously pleased with herself. “Yes, quite clever” the Alchemist said flatly. Looking over to them both the conversation had apparently come to an end once more. “Aurochs, back alive. Got it” you conclude and head back to your Warband. “What did they say?”, “I’ll give you the sensible version”.