ACT 1: Apistefuan Sirenix

Solace

CHARACTERS IN THIS ONESHOT (POST-EPISODE 2, 'Whispers in the Depths' PART 2):
Avangard-Miraille, Disembodied Fighter (Soldier)
Tiān Fēng, Human Ranger (Outlander)
Parvum Nebulonis, Half-Elf Rogue (Outlander)
Frida Aquene, Halfling Cleric of Eldath (Acolyte)
Nereus Colton, Human Warlock (Haunted One)

NPCS:
Chief Zaya Elestree, Human Rogue (Noble)
Penillea Ditterea, Drow Cleric of Selûne (Acolyte)

CHAPTER: THALASSES DE MER
(2192 words)

(Note: This event takes place after part 2 of episode 2. It is not a direct continuation of episode 5.)


Dawn flickered warmly against the shades that crept into the grove. As the adventurers gathered around, their faces lit in dancing bright hues of orange and gold, there was a shared sense of calm-of something almost sacred in the air.

Chief Zaya Elestree, a sturdy figure, sat on a fallen log, the soft rustle of leaves beneath her. Beside her was Cleric Penillea Ditterea, a serene woman whose very presence was like the stillness before dawn. The two exchanged knowing glances, clearly aware of the curiosity brewing among their guests.

After a few moments of quiet, Penillea finally spoke, her voice like a soft rumble.

PENILLEA: "Welcome to Panemorfin Grove!" She raises jazz hands and giggles. "This grove doesn't just call to any wanderer; only those with a purpose actually feel its pull. So, you all must have some kind of story to tell, right?"

Parvum the Spirited Rogue has his signature cheeky smile.

PARVUM: "Oh, we've got stories, alright. Mostly about trouble we've somehow wiggled out of." He winked at the others, earning a few chuckles from a few of them.

Fēng, with his calm and collected demeanor, took in the grove's surroundings. His sharp gaze seems to be catching every detail. The grove seemed.. quiet. Way too quiet.

FĒNG: "It's kinda peaceful here," he said, almost to himself. "But, where are the druids? Penillea seems to be the only one here."

MIRAILLE: "Indeed." Miraille added, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "It's odd to see a druidless grove. They protect the sanctity of nature, no?"

A gentle smile tugged at Zaya's lips, though her gaze was distant. She exchanged a subtle look with Penillea, as though weighing what to share.

ZAYA: "This isn't like other groves," she finally replied, her voice soft but steady. "The druids here.. are of different nature."

PARVUM: "Different how?" Parvum leaned forward eagerly. "Are they hiding in the trees? Watching us from the shadows?" His voice was full of playful intrigue.

Just then, the softest shuffle of footsteps joined them, drawing their attention to the edge of the firelight. Miraille and Zaya sheathe their blade out automatically, as if it were muscle memory. From the shadows stepped a figure wrapped in simple robes, her silver hair adorned with a wildflower crown.

She moved with a gentleness that seemed to harmonize with the very air around her, despite limping and using her staff as a cane. The others turned to see the halfling, her expression warm yet weary, her wise eyes taking in each of their faces.

FRIDA: "Frida. Frida Auquene," the old woman began, realizing the confusion on all their faces, except for Zaya and Penillea, who seem to know her. "It's not such a mystery, really. Panemorfin Grove isn't like the others because it belongs to Eldath, the Goddess of Peace."

MIRAILLE: "Eldath?" Miraille asked, her brow raised, intrigue flickering her gaze. "The Oak Father oversees the groves."

FRIDA: "Most groves, my sweet." Frida corrected with a nod as a thoughtful look crossed her face. "Indeed, Silvanus rules over the majority. His power commands respect, and his dominion stretches far and wide. But not all strength lies in force. Eldath's domain is one of peace, of quiet rivers and gentle breezes. This grove.. it is a place for those who seek solace rather than battles."

Miraille glances around as though expecting the grove to look different now that she knows its origins.

MIRAILLE: "Eldath's presence, hm?" Her tone was skeptical, as though she needed more convincing.

But Frida's smile only deepened, and there's warmth in her gaze as she looked at her.

FRIDA: "Yes, her very presence. This grove is special, you see. It's not for those who seek power or conquest, but those who need rest. Plus, she is also known to be the Guardian of Groves, so though unfamiliar, it still makes sense."

Penillea's soft voice broke in, her voice reverent.

PENILLEA: "The followers of Eldath find a rare strength in peace. For them, protection doesn't always come with swords or armor, but with the ability to offer shelter and healing to those in need. This grove.. it calls to the weary."

Fēng looked thoughtful, glancing at the trees, at the softly swaying branches, at the quiet rustle of leaves.

FĒNG: "Yeah.. I can sense it. There's a different kind of power here-a quiet one. Strength that doesn't need to show itself."

FRIDA: "Exactly. It need not roar or be heard. Sometimes, it is the quiet places that wield the greatest power. Seek stillness and thereby find peace, for peace can only come from within and cannot be taught or imposed." She quoted her last sentence and glanced at Parvum with a knowing smile. "And sometimes, the smallest of folk carry the greatest burdens."

Parvum laughed, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense.

PARVUM: "Are you calling me small, granny?"

Frida laughed, her eyes crinkling with mirth.

FRIDA: "Oh, I wouldn't dare! I simply meant that appearances can be deceiving. Plus, I'm using a spell to increase my.. interesting height, and yet I still appear to be the smallest out of all of you. I have no right to speak regarding size."

Nereus leaned forward, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

NEREUS: "But why choose Eldath? The druids, I mean."

FRIDA: "Oh, simple! They viewed the Goddess of Peace to have a deep, ancient understanding of balance in nature-a philosophy that goes beyond mere protection or stewardship of the land."

NEREUS: "Then, if not Silvanus, why not choose Mielikki?"

FRIDA: "Because as the Goddess of Forests, her followers tend to be protectors and defenders of the natural world, willing to use force to preserve it. In contrast, Eldath represents a type of peace that is fundamentally pacifistic, dedicated to quiet, nonviolent resolutions, and the gentle restoration of the land without aggression. The druids here sought an ideal of peace that was more passive and healing than the active and protective force that Mielikki embodies."

The group listens attentively to Frida's explanation, finding that the history of this grove is an interesting one.

NEREUS: "So where are they? Valuables should have others protecting them."

Frida's smile faded a little, a shadow passing over her face. She glanced at Zaya and Penillea, who both gave her subtle nods of permission, signaling that it was her story to tell. After a moment's hesitation, she began.

FRIDA: "Panemorfin Grove is different, yes," she said softly. "The druids are.. well, they are here in a sense; but they remain hidden, guarding the grove from afar."

The group exchanged puzzled looks, and Frida continued, her tone low and almost reverent.

FRIDA: "Long ago, it was like any other. Filled with druids devoted to nurturing the land and guarding it from harm. But then came a time when the peace here was disrupted-violently." She paused, her eyes unfocused, as if lost in memory. "A clan of warriors who were.. certain followers of a god of war, sought to claim the grove for themselves. They believed that Eldath's followers, with their pacifistic ways, would be easy prey. And in some ways, I suppose they were right."

The sun crackled as her words hung in the air, heavy with sorrow. Nereus flinched at the words 'clan' and 'god of war,' for it reminded him of his cruel past, the reason why he became like this. Why his dad had slayed his grandfather.

FRIDA: "They attacked mercilessly." She went on, her voice barely above a whisper. "And though the druids defended bravely, they were no match for those who reveled in violence. 'Work violence only to defend ' but Eldath's followers were not warriors; we do not seek bloodshed. Many lives were lost that day.. and those who survived went into hiding, protecting the grove from the comfort of the shadows, vowing never to draw attention to themselves again."

Silence fell, each of the adventurers absorbing the weight of her words. I bet it was those Evander scums, Nereus thought. Parvum, in a rare moment of seriousness, looked at her with wide eyes.

PARVUM: "That's.. that's horrible! They basically didn't stand a chance..?"

FRIDA: "No." Frida said quietly. "They didn't. But they did what they could. They saved what was most important-the spirit of the grove. They became part of it in a way, merging with the land, unseen but always present. They vowed to keep the grove safe. Not with swords, but with watchful eyes and quiet hearts." Frida glared at one of the trees.

PENILLEA: "In fact, it was another reason as to why the druids here serve Eldath instead. The ones who survived this catastrophe understood that strength alone could not heal such wounds. In their quest for restoration, they felt the presence of Eldath, whose gentle touch restored life to the scorched earth and brought calm to the grove."

PARVUM: "So in their reverence and gratitude.." Parvum says, connecting the dots.

ZAYA: "They dedicated the grove to Eldath." Zaya finished for him. "They embraced her teachings as a philosophy of balance-a peace that sustains life as powerfully as any force. Soon, Panemorfin Grove became a sanctuary for travelers, a rare respite amidst wild lands. Here, peace was nurtured not as an absence of conflict but as an active, daily choice that imbued the grove's very soil."

Zaya seemed knowledgeable about the grove, which made sense considering it was once led by her great-great-grandparents.

The travelers soon understood how the druids of Panemorfin Grove embraced Eldath's way not to reject Silvanus but to honor a different aspect of nature's essence. They believed in healing where others seek control, in gentleness as a form of strength, and in quiet as powerful as the roar of storms. By dedicating their lives to this quiet strength, the druids cultivate an enduring serenity that not only protects the grove but also renews the spirits of those who visit.

To this day, the druids of Panemorfin remain steadfast in their vow to Eldath, guardians of a peace that endures through patience, kindness, and a silent power that binds all life together.

FĒNG: "So.. the grove endures because of them, right?" Fēng asked, confused as to why others would go out of their way to harm another. Wait, no. He did know why, yet ignorance still remains blissful.

FRIDA: "Yes." Frida nodded. "It's but a testament to their devotion. Even in death, they guard this place, their spirits intertwined with the land itself. It is they who keep Eldath's peace alive here."

Nereus's usual stoicism softened as he looked at Frida.

NEREUS: "And you? You're here to.. carry on their work?"

She gave a slight nod, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of sorrow and pride.

FRIDA: "In a way, yes. I came here seeking peace myself after.. many losses. I came here to honor those who came before, to keep Eldath's spirit alive. Even if it's not for long, as I'm only here temporarily."

The group sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Finally, Parvum spoke, his voice softer than usual.

PARVUM: "It's kinda funny how fierce 'peace' can be, huh?" he chuckled.

FRIDA: "It is a choice. A hard-won one, at that. To choose peace in a world so full of violence.. that is the truest form of strength."

Miraille's gaze remains skeptical, glaring at the halfling as if she couldn't believe someone would actually think that way. Still, even she couldn't deny the newfound respect she had for such an.. ancient being. Because despite the grandmother's size, at least she stood strong for her morals. Even if her own balance had to be stabilized by her staff.

Penillea, who had been observing, spoke up.

PENILLEA: "Panemorfin Grove may not have warriors with swords, but it has guardians of a different kind. Every creature, every tree, and every stone here is imbued with the spirit of those who loved this place. It is their legacy."

Zaya nodded.

ZAYA: "And those of us who are here now, we carry on that legacy. We protect the peace with devotion."

The light-hearted Parvum began looking around with a grin.

PARVUM: "Well, I guess it's good to know that if I ever get tired of running from trouble, I can always come here and find some peace!" He gave Frida a playful nudge. "Think you can save a spot for me, old lady?"

She chuckled, patting his arm.

FRIDA: "Only if you promise to bring a bit of your mischief with you. Peace requires a little laughter, too."

The group laughed as the tension easing as they shared a moment of lightness. But beneath the laughter, there was a deep respect for the grove, for the druids who had given everything to protect it, and for Frida, whose quiet strength seemed to embody the very spirit of the grove.

Soon came night, and the adventurers seem to have felt a profound connection to the grove. The flickering firelight cast long shadows, but it also illuminated their faces, each marked by a newfound understanding, a deeper respect for the silent power of Panemorfin Grove.

In the stillness of that night, they found something unexpected-a sense of belonging, of unity. And as the fire crackled softly, casting its warm glow over them, the grove seemed to embrace them, its silent guardians watching over their new friends, its ancient peace settling into their hearts.