Secrets of the sap

Jp with Cindy, Strangetides, Lorem and Bandorchu

Islana nodded, "The foragers came across human remains in the woods. They also found a man there, who they brought back, that was ranting about the trees talking to him. One of the guards, Jiyn, " She pointed out Jiyn," and myself were sent to investigate. When we got there we found a ditch with bodies in it. There was at least 4.". Islana pulled out her drawings.

She showed the drawing of the carving to Nicolas, "Where the sap was coming out, this was drawn. It was on several trees."

She went on the explain what the friar explained about the symbol being on of a death cult. She also showed Nicholas the drawing of the soul catcher and explained about finding it in the trees. She then mentioned there had been someone else who mentioned the trees calling to them. The explanation of what had occured was brief but gave Nicholas a good idea of what happened. Of course, Islana never mentioned Omen.

"Do you think the sap might cause hallucinations?" Islana asked Nicholas.

"Anything is possible, but I haven't delved that deeply into the sample yet." Nicolaus paused.
"Hmm," Nicolaus pulled a piece of parchment form the table and used a bone pen to mark the center.

"Imagine you are a bird flying above the town looking down. How are the clusters of these trees located? Could you mark on this parchment the location of these trees in relation to the town, (represented by the mark in the center)? If you could, try circling the town in a widening circle. I am curious if there are more than we know of these, shall we say ritual sites. Make special note of any recently turned earth, there may be more bodies out there as well."

"Alexis, have there been recorded reports to the watch or town guard of missing people. I am curious if it has been a steady trickle or sudden increase rather than the randomness we would normally expect."

Islana nodded, "I climbed up the tree to retrieve the soul catcher, I got a decent but quick look at the area." She set to work drawing what he had asked. Occasionally asking Jiyn if he thought something looked right to him. It would take several minutes before Islana was satisfied with her work. Once she was and Nicholas was ready she handed the drawing back to him.

"The two men that said the trees were talking to them, " Islana explained, "Is it possible that's what caused them to think that? Maybe, they somehow ingested the sap?" It was just a theory, of course.

Gonyaul remained off to the side observing everyone’s interactions and paying attention to what was being discussed.

"Alexis and I saw things I wouldn't have thought possible on our expedition, so I have broaden my realm of possibility. What were the trees saying to them?" Nicolaus had another thought and turned to the quiet man listening intently,
"Gonyaul, was only one tree with the mark bleeding or was was every tree with the mark you saw? Did you touch the sap and experience anything when you took the fresh sample?"

Islana responded, "The older man just repeated that they trees had spoken to him. The other one mentioned the trees had called to him."

Gonyaul perked up and made eye contact with Nicolaus when he was addressed. He had been looking over the shoulder of Islana to see what she was doing with the map marking.

He shook his head no, “Only one tree. Tried others in area. No sap from them. I did not touch the sap.”

"Do we know how the people in the grave died at all? Conjecture might suggest we have sacrifices, because people don't tend to bury themselves. They might have been the wrong place wrong time, but unlikely. Ritual marks on trees surrounding them and aptly named soul catchers. Now something speaks to individuals, calling to them. Whatever is in the sap will put you into a deep sleep very quickly. Anyone have suggestions on how that fits together?"

Gonyaul looked to the others. He only found markings on a tree. There weren’t any signs of dead bodies, soul catchers and/or speaking trees around to his knowledge.

He spoke up after struggling to find a connection, “No idea how connect. Maybe they are not meant to? Could be different people doing it different place with different methods? Or maybe, just big distraction to keep us looking elsewhere, then where we should be looking?”

"Hendrick, the guard who went into the ditch, said the body's were torn up. There wasn't much left of them. He couldn't even say exactly how many there were." Islana explained.

Nicolaus nodded at the Islana and turned to the intent man, "You are correct, Gonyaul, am I pronouncing that correctly? ...we have too little to go on to even frame a proper guess. I shall continue my tests on the sample while you all pursue your own quests. Perhaps the clouds will part and there will be light."

Gonyaul nodded yes. Gaw-née-yall. The man got it right.

“We’ll be counting on you, Nicolaus.”

Alexis turned to Islana.

“So what should we do while he works on this? Check in with the town guard on missing people? Or talk to the foragers? They might have noticed something.”

She gave it a little more thought.

“How about the person who lead you there? Would you be able to find that one? They clearly at the very least know the area?”