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+---- Thread: where the wild woods are (/showthread.php?tid=12050)
where the wild woods are - Lysandra - 09-27-2025
Snow gentled the Wildwood into silence, tucking frost into the crooks of roots and draping silver shawls across every branch. The great trees seemed to breathe under their burden, their limbs creaking softly as if amused at the weight. Will-o-Wisps bobbed between trunks in slow arcs of pale light, brightening the maze of paths that might lead anywhere—or nowhere at all.
For Lysandra, the place was more playground than peril. Her cloak whispered against bark as she slipped from one tree to the next, boots pressing into powder without leaving so much as a crunch. A braid of pale hair hung over one shoulder, the cloak's green hood shadowing her eyes as she peered into the ever-moving boughs.
The Wildwood liked to trick strangers. It had that in common with Lysandra.
A drift of movement caught her attention ahead, not wisp but man—tall, blond hair, threading his way along the path with a practiced step. Liam. She recognized him even at distance, the familiarity of another who’d walked these woods long enough not to flinch when the paths folded over themselves.
Still, that didn’t spare him from her mischief. Lysandra pressed herself to a trunk, laughter bubbling soundlessly in her chest. Then, as the wind drew its breath, she slipped after him, a shadow among shifting woods, as quiet and weightless as the trickster spirits the forest adored.
RE: where the wild woods are - Liam - 10-08-2025
The Wildwood was silent. Snow blanketed the boughs arching overhead, turning the bare branches into a crisscrossing sea of white. The only sound that Liam was aware of as he strode through the trees was the crunch of his boots against the snow's icy crust; the only movement was that of his breath clouding the air. His golden hair was tucked into a toboggan, his body into warm clothes. He carried a bow and a quiver of arrows, but for all his efforts hunting today, the sled he pulled behind him was remarkably empty. Knowing that prices at the market would be inflated, the soldier frowned to himself. At least he and his partner had enough food set by for winter, although fresh meat would have been nice...
A breeze gusted through the Wildwood, shaking a few branches and sending clumps of snow raining down to plop onto the small drifts that had blown against the tree trunks. Liam ignored them, taking a turn that should - gods and Greatwood willing - take him back to the village. Unaware of the giggling shadow he'd acquired, he plodded on, watchful eyes scanning for any sign of movement that might mean a successful end to his hunt.
RE: where the wild woods are - Lysandra - 10-10-2025
The Wildwood held its breath.
Lysandra watched him through a veil of drifting flakes, the faintest smile curving her lips. Poor, unsuspecting Liam—so serious in the quiet, trudging along as if the forest weren’t alive with eyes and laughter. She could almost hear the trees conspiring with her, their branches creaking in encouragement.
[say]“Shhh,”[/say] she whispered to the nearest trunk, and brushed her gloved hand along the bark. A soft glow shimmered in response. The Will-o-Wisps had always liked her little games, and a few of them drifted closer now, swaying in lazy, secret arcs.
She gestured once.
The lights winked—and then darted off the path ahead of Liam, weaving in playful spirals between the trees. A faint sound followed them, the distant echo of a tune that didn’t seem to come from any single direction. Something bright and teasing, like wind chimes made of laughter.
Lysandra slipped from her hiding place and circled wide, her cloak a dark flicker among the snow. The melody twined closer to him, settling like a spell in the air before it faded into nothing. When she finally spoke, her voice came from somewhere behind him—soft, lilting, full of the grin he couldn’t yet see.
[say]“Careful, hunter. The forest’s in a mood today.”[/say]
By the time he turned [if he did], she was already leaning lightly against a nearby tree, one brow raised, that smile she always wore plain to see.
RE: where the wild woods are - Liam - 10-19-2025
The change was subtle and slow, so much so that it took Liam longer than it should have to notice. The Wildwood seemed to breathe around him, releasing a sigh of sorts as the familiar lights of will-o-wisps flickered in the dim undergrowth, reflecting off the bits of snow that had managed to drift along the forest floor. Then came the gentle, chiming melodies that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. Liam had been a resident long enough to know not to follow the wisps, but their games brought a small smile to his face all the same, chasing away the doldrums that threatened to linger like the clouds far above.
But then there was a voice, and all lightheartedness was gone. The soldier spun, an arrow nocked before he completed his turn, though he managed to avoid taking aim at the lilting sound - if only just. With the bow pointing at the ground, his muscles taut and his jaw set, his eyes lit upon a familiar figure. She wasn't someone he knew well, but they'd crossed paths enough times that Liam relaxed a fraction with the recognition.
The last time someone had toyed with him in the woods, he'd ended up an infected thrall. He could be forgiven for a bit of wariness.
Still, he was fairly certain that Lysandra was no threat, so he reluctantly tucked the arrow back into its quiver. [say]"Is it?"[/say] he asked, tilting his head to the side and trying for a friendly smile - even if it didn't quite erase the suspicion in his gaze. [say]"Perhaps the animals are wiser than me, then. They don't seem to be keen to brave the woods today."[/say]
RE: where the wild woods are - Serendipity - 10-19-2025
Was that a scream? Could they be in trouble?
Is it all in your head? Just your imagination?
Or something else altogether – because what if it’s true?
You’ve encountered a Will-O-Wisp. This counts as a common creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.
Will-O-WispsAreas Found: Greatwood — Common Glowing orbs of light that dance and weave between the branches, despite their usefulness, these creatures are not to be trusted. Mischievous and loyal to no one, they will lead travellers astray at a moment's notice.
Challenge Rating: Moderate HP: 38 | To Hit: +80 | Dmg: 5 Movement: Float 30 ft. (hover) SPECIAL SKILLS Misdirection: deliberately leads travellers away from their intended path; Elusive Motion: difficult to follow or catch due to erratic movement |
TRAITS Luminescent Form: glows brightly in dim or dark environments; Branch-Dancing: weaves easily among treetops and forest paths; Mischievous Nature: acts unpredictably, without loyalty ACTIONS Eating a wisp is impossible, as it disperses into faint motes of light upon contact; attempting to do so leaves only a fleeting afterimage and a tingling sensation on the tongue. |
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