heavy lies the crown

August evenings Bring solemn warnings
To remember to kiss the ones you love goodnight

While she was in the Greatwood, Sohalia thought, she might as well use the opportunity to hunt for Vi's Roses. The last time she'd been in the region for any length of time, it had been under Void control, and she'd almost been killed as a result. Now, though, with the Void largely defeated in the area, she felt confident enough that she could explore.

This particular morning was bright and sunny, light streaming through the greenery above to dapple the forest floor. It made Ludo's Wood seem cheery rather than morose, what with its small, twisted saplings with lanterns lovingly hung upon their boughs. Sohalia wandered through with a solemn air, periodically pausing to admire a particularly beautiful lantern.

When she'd had her fill of that, she found a clear spot to take a seat, tucking her legs neatly beneath her and pulling a journal from her pocket. She might be here to look for flowers, but no one said she couldn't sketch or map while she was here.

You never know what temporal days may bring
So laugh, love, live free and sing

Sohalia

Rhiannon

Rhiannon had returned to the Greatwood after reporting in to her superiors in Halo. Unfortunately, they told her, no roses had been found as of yet, and so she was sent right back to the Greatwood to continue her hunt. Today, that search brought her back to Ludo's Wood, where she set up a search grid and began a meticulous scan of the area. She'd been at it for a while when she glanced up to find a familiar face seated beneath a particularly gnarled tree, sketching in a journal laid across her lap.

"Sohalia, hey," said Rhiannon, approaching with a smirk. "Not lost again, are we?" Their first meeting in Halo had ended well enough, but it had started with the Luminary asking Rhi for directions, which she'd not appreciated at the time. Now, Rhiannon wished that it was safe enough and things were simple enough that the worst thing she had to worry about was someone asking directions.

they say looks can kill and I might try

August evenings Bring solemn warnings
To remember to kiss the ones you love goodnight

Soh looked up at a familiar voice that she couldn't quite place to find the pretty soldier from Halo strolling casually towards her, a catlike smirk on her face. The Luminary smiled in return. "Actually, I'm quite familiar with the area," she said, laughter in her voice. "So if you need directions this time, all you have to do is ask."

She was glad to see a familiar face, even if they were both far from home. "What are you doing in the Greatwood?" Soh asked, setting the charcoal she'd been sketching with aside and closing her notebook. It was a long way to travel from Halo, and from what Soh had heard, she could only imagine that every Halovian would be needed at home. So this couldn't be a pleasure trip. Was Rhiannon here for the same reason she was?

You never know what temporal days may bring
So laugh, love, live free and sing

Sohalia

Rhiannon

Rhiannon's smirk morphed into a true smile. She'd found Sohalia to be good company last time they'd met, and it seemed that the blonde didn't hold either her rudeness or her flirtations against her. "I might take you up on that," Rhi responded, taking a seat next to the Luminary and pulling a flask of water from her pack. "I've only been to the Greatwood once before, and I'm still learning my way around. Is it just me, or do the woods change?"

As for what she was doing so far from home, Rhiannon didn't hesitate. Sohalia had been on the front lines of fighting the Void yeti, so she doubted the other woman would be working with the Family to stop their plans. Still, it didn't hurt to be careful. "I'm collecting flowers," she said vaguely before taking a swig of her water.

they say looks can kill and I might try

Orbs of light beckon and call from the darkened angles and shadows of trees. Were those whispers of your friends? Family? Fallen allies?

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-Wisps (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.

August evenings Bring solemn warnings
To remember to kiss the ones you love goodnight

Sohalia laughed. "Oh, yeah, they do that," she told Rhiannon, eyes sparkling. "It's a defense mechanism or something. It's made it a real pain to map the area, I'll tell you that." Not that it had stopped her; she'd always had a stubborn streak when it came to her cartography, wanting her maps to be perfect and just so.

An orb of light appeared nearby, and Soh tensed, rising to her feet as she tucked her journal and charcoal into the bag she wore. Whispers surrounded them, making Soh shiver. "It's a will-o-wisp," she said. "We should go. They have a tendency to try to lure travelers astray." She paused, considering. "Actually, I was headed to the Mathair next to search for flowers. Maybe we could go together?" And with Rhiannon's agreement, Soh led the way away from the will-o-wisp and towards the great tree.

fin

You never know what temporal days may bring
So laugh, love, live free and sing

Sohalia