Rhizome

[Pankoki]

Rhizome has completed his level 20 epic.

Note: Rhiz, if you have your original epic submission, please send it to me and I'll post it here.

[Rhizome]

Character Name:Â Rhizome Current Level:Â 20 EXP to Level to NEXT level:Â 700,000
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What has happened in Rhizome’s life to this point:
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“Rhizome,” a respectfully probing female voice asks, “we need more than just those basic biographical tid-bits. Please tell us more about you so we may gauge your current and future position within our druidic ranks.”
 “An easy question then, eh?” and Rhizome confidently flashes a playful smile at the gathered group of High Druids. “Well, when I was younger I lived for many years in the Forest of Mists and the Anuroch on Dregar, very reclusive. I avoided most people and spent nearly all of my socializing with the forest itself. Then some dragon brought me before him, gave me a mission to aid in the struggle against the brewing storm of Bloodstone. Of course I...”
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The mysterious and hooded figure sitting on a low branch to the far left interrupted, “Why were you in that forest to begin with?”
 “Well, after the accident with my father I was sent to live with my uncle. But I felt such shame at what I’d done, that instead I broke contact with my family and began to live the life of a Dregarian nomad. I met many fellow nomads, mostly in the desert region which I was so deeply attached. I picked up a few tricks and ideas from them. But mostly I spent my time embedding myself into the various ecosystems, the least deadly ones of course. Eventually I came upon the Forest and found it inviting and hospitable, in its mysteriously misty way.”
 “But that dragon ripped me right out of the forest and planted me right in the middle of Mistone. I resented it at first and immediately sought ways to isolate myself once again. But, since I knew nothing of the region and its dangers, I was forced to rely once again upon the good will of others. That’s precisely when I met Enzo Reynolt, Plenarius Ashaley, Duran and Arenis. We formed a close group and supported each other in all manner of endeavors. We still do.”
“Some of the early deeds we undertook seemed to set the tone for my later dealings. I remember clearly how Enzo and I were approached by Zelee, a fairy of the HighForest, and bid us save his community from trolls. Of course we did, and my attachment to that place has been intensely intimate ever since. So later when poachers were running amok in its old growth, I rushed to its defense. We were once again successful, and again my connection to that place grew as a result. Through that intensified connection, I could feel the plague of other poachers growing throughout Mistone. ÂSo, I spent quite a few months seeking out these poachers throughout Mistone, and eventually Rilara, and dealt with them in whatever manner they would be dealt with. Continuing to poach, however, was not an option and these conflicts often turned aggressive.”
“Stopping poachers is pretty standard stuff Rhizome,” a lean figure in the center of the arc of interviewers interjected, “part of the job description if you will. What other memorable events can you recount for us?”
“Many I’m sure. I remember learning a lesson about the corruptible hearts of men and elves alike when I helped to stop a children’s slave trade running out of Luck. I can also tell you about the time my precious friend Lilya was at one point taken captive by some warped soul, a demon of sorts. I traveled, between planes I think, and that’d be the only time, to get her back.”
Two of the people sitting at the side of the group whispered something to each other. Rhizome’s attention snapped to them and he stuttered out a few more words. “She is a close friend of mine, and a fine human who respects nature and is compassionate almost to a flaw. It was through my friendship with her that I came to the somewhat obvious realization that people are animals as well. Becoming mindful of other people and their communities as a part of broader and complex systems was a breakthrough for me in terms of focusing my attention on the fundamental connectivity.”
“Nawen,” he stops and swallows, looking off with an emotionally overwrought expression. “Pardon me. She was a fellow druid, and dear to me. Recently she passed into the eternal rest after being drained by some demonic vampirism. She showed me the druidic rituals I had never experienced in my nomadic isolation. She was particularly fond of the spring solstice, the wild dancing and the midnight harvest. She learned each perfectly from her parents, third or fourth generation druids I believe. Like her I learned quickly, but could never approach the passionate grace with which she performed all three. Though now that she’s passed, I’m surely one of the finest practitioners of these arts in Layonara.” He pauses and speaks softly to himself with a hint of angst, “thanks to her.” And then he says loud enough to be heard by all, “Thanks to her I have also drilled myself in the techniques of fasting and meditation. Both have served me well over the years.”
“That demon, which ultimately meant her demise, was summoned by a vengeful heart. This Baron, you see, had sought all the long years since his son was murdered, in self defense I should add, one of the most powerful rangers I have ever encountered. He was an excommunicated member of the Wolfswood Rangers. It was my longest and dearest comrade Enzo Reynolt who drew me into this drama. In the end, we ended up aiding the entire WolfswoodForest, and the Forest of Mists as well, freeing the flora and fauna from the demonic energies which were disrupting them.”
“I’ve had far too many dealings with demons it seems. With my trusted and sturdy friend Thordan, as well as a few others, even the warped gnomish demon caller Oriax seemed less fearsome. Together we saved Lueanne from one of his magical cages and toppled much of one of the Greypeaks down upon his summoning dungeon. The thing about that was...” and Rhizome hears a rustling from above and stops talking to look up.
Another of the gathered interviewers, this one perched well above the rest, leaned over and dropped words upon the gathering. “Go back a bit. I’ve heard of this Enzo Reynolt. Tell us more of your relationship to him.”
“Yes, well, when I told you that I found companionship in Hlint after being abducted by that dragon, I should have said I met Enzo. It was our firm friendship which helped me build the foundation to erect other fruitful relationships. Enzo and I have always been there for each other when times are dire. I helped Enzo find his father after many years, and they have established a good relationship since. Together, with many other powerful adventurers, we helped to contain a wave of demons and soul devouring darkness released by a Drow mage.” He pauses in reflection momentarily, “Yeah, I learned that rushing things is never a good idea on that little jaunt. I think we missed much and this Azette creature is rearing her dark loving head again.”
“Enzo also helped me manage that that encounter with Pyrtechon.” Rhizome seems to stop short, and looks around at a crowd full of inquisitive and astonished expressions.
“You’ve had dealings with Pyrtechon?” one incredulous voice seemed to channel the gathering sentiment.
“Well,” and Rhizome pauses to gather words, “well, not with Pyrtechon directly. One of his minions came to me in Hlint and claimed me as his Fireseed.” Glances shoot wildly about. “This flaming woman hurled her axe at my chest when I proved recalcitrant,” and he moves his hand to his chest and rubs subtly, “I still have the weird undulating scar.” The tension intensifies. “Yes, I know. It seems horrible. And it was for quite some time. I came to feel a desire for chaos and destruction deep in my heart. But when Pyrtechon’s minions ceased to beckon, I learned to manage the Fireseed working within.”
“In truth, it is my dear Serenity who has encouraged me to get a handle on it, though I’m not sure she even realizes this. She helped me come to terms with my underlying and unspoken notion balanced, and that’s something I’ve always struggled for.”
“Yes, we all do friend,” a soothing voice added.
Rhizome nods and continues, “You see, I’ve always had this notion that destruction is as much at the heart of nature as creation. It is in the tension between order and chaos where nature’s infinite creativity lies. Some of us try to preserve the natural order and see destruction as the enemy. It shouldn’t be. It is only through destabilization and chaos where new order, new balance, can emerge. I had that philosophy for as long as I can remember, before I could even formulate it so. But the incident with Pyrtechon made me question these convictions and doubt whether they were my own or planted in me as a flaming seed. Serenity gave me the words, strength of spirit and support to embrace this underlying conviction.”
My drive to survey the dynamic networks of flora and fauna and landscape as thoroughly as one elf can do in a lifetime has set me on many walk-abouts. My friends complain or tease me about it often. In these wanderings I’ve established fruitful relationships with many communities of animals in various places throughout Layonara. In several cases those relationships have led to me negotiating with encroaching humans on behalf of wilderness areas. I’ve also performed The Rites in nearly every forest, swamp, desert and mountainside on Mistone, Rilara and Dregar. Besides the Moonlight Harvest and wild dancing which Nawen showed me, I’ve become an adept chanter.
“This drive to investigate, nurture and defend has mostly served me well. Other times it has led me into trouble. I remember one time when I encouraged a small group of close friends to investigate a new spore I saw floating out of a cave. When we realized that it was killing many of the Drow beneath, we probably should have turned around for fear of infection. But I pressed on, only to find that the Myconid had devised a final solution to their Drow problem. We were lucky to have avoided the illness and made it back to the surface without spreading it further.”
“On the positive side, this drive propelled me to help one of the lost sisters, somehow bound at a grave in the BrokenForest.” The whispers now floating about seem to congeal into a kind of anonymous murmur. Although he notices, Rhizome continues talking without breaking rhythm. “Katia directed Nire, Plenarius,” he pauses and mutters something to himself about missing them, “and I to find and help her. Through our focus upon the connectivity of nature and will of balance, we were able to release the Lady of the Land. Katia spoke to us twice that day.” Exclamations erupt from all around. The overwhelming excitement of the idea swarms over and conceals the few suspicious comments. “I’ve never been so honored. Through her mouthpiece in her Southern Seilwood temple she commanded me to seek the Great Oak. I’ve thought about little else since then.”
He suddenly finds himself in a connective moment with those gathered. He smiles, and the group smiles with him, as though they know what he is thinking and about to say before it reaches his tongue and lips. “It was the same week that Allurial spoke to me about unity. She said that 'Unity is the savior of the heart. Through unity with the one, and combining of others will we prosper and grow. Without we shall pass away.’ It is as if she looked into the core of my person and pulled out the thread which ties it all together and presented it to me.”
“A wise leader this Allurial must be,” one of the Wildland Druids spoke from the rear.
“She has her moments, that’s for sure. I had no respect for authority before then. Since then I’ve made more of an effort to consult with Allurial on matters concerning nature and balance from time to time. Sometimes, however, she acts brashly. The current predicament is a fine example.”
“What’s happened?” the same Wildland Druid replied.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard. A great and mysterious storm appeared over Mistone not too long ago. Allurial demanded her trusted guards stay behind and she went in search of some answers to this tempest. She may have got answers, but she also vanished and hasn’t been seen in some time, a long enough time to throw Blackford into a panic. It wasn’t long before her Highstar servant found me, and a few others, and tasked us to find her.” His brow furls, “I’m in the middle of that project right now.”
“While investigating Allurial’s disappearance, I didn’t find much of use to find her, but I did come across some crucial information. I now know more about the Tol’elfor, the last elven plant and the Great Oak than I previously had. Raven,” and he turns to nods respectfully to Raven who is seated on a large mushroom near the front, “Raven told me many crucial things which I will only share in personal communication with those cleared by this council to know of.”
“Now, more than ever, my path seems clear. I’ve been on the way towards the Great Oak for some time now, and that I must continue to do. But now I realize that in order to know what to do when I arrive and be able to do it, other things must also be in place. We must find a way to defend this crucial and ancient Elven plant, for Raven suggested that it is in danger. ÂWe must also gain the confidence of the Tol’eflor and re-engage them in our world. We must do this to find out what they know and think about a great many things as well as to coordinate with them in the great struggle of our time.”
“So, I haven’t told you all, but I have told you much.” he speaks with more confidence and persuasive force than he has the whole time. “Perhaps you’ll now allow me some questions of this great council.” The gathered nature folk look at each other as though this idea has caught them off guard. “Please tell me everything you can about the Great Oak, the last elven plant and the Tol’eflor. I will share what I know and together our understanding will grow like a rhizome.”
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What do you think should/could happen to your character during Epic Levels?
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Whatever happens, it should relate to the Great Oak. That just seems obvious for a quest propelling a Druid into epic status. There are many ways this can unfold.
The most obvious, perhaps, would be to pick up on Leanthar’s Great Oak plotline. The quest could involve actually finding the Great Oak and establishing some sort of direct connection with it. This could transform Rhizome in any number of positive directions and allow him to discern what troubles it and how it can be helped. I can’t really say much more about this possibility because no one knows for sure where Leanthar’s machinations are headed. As this is “main plot” stuff and the east server isn’t up yet, I’m unclear on the viability of this trajectory.
Another possibility is a quest which would involve some sort of task which would indirectly lend stability to the Great Oak. Weakening a potential usurper or strengthening a potential aid would fit here. Something with the last elven plant and/or the Tol’eflor could fit in here.
 Another other idea which doesn’t directly relate to the Great Oak revolves around the Animal Lords. In the old handbook there was a description of the Animal Lords, basically the central individual of a species. So, there would be a Grizzly Bear Lord, a Wolf Lord, Muskrat Lord, etc. There are many quest possibilities surrounding these figures. One, for example, could entail aiding the Animal Lord who is being hunted for some reason. If successful, Rhizome could establish a particularly intense association with this particular species.
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ Another possibility, which could easily tie into all of the above ideas, is for Rhizome to become an Arch-Druid and thus become the administrative center of druids in Layonara or be appointed as a High Druid for a particular region.
 I’ve got numerous other ideas floating around in my head. These are just what I could pull together into some sort of coherent ideas. I’d love to brainstorm with anyone interested, particularly the GM assigned.
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GM Request:
There is really only one GMs who has quested enough with Rhizome to know him well enough to run his “Epic CDQ.” That GM is Hitokiri. For the most part he is the only other GM running quests when I play and run quests. G-452 could also do the quest. More often than not, however, our schedules do not coordinate well.
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This will be my only CDQ in nearly a year of playing here. What a way to start, when you’re whole future is on the line.