There was a shaking in Rivershire as a sight uncommon to these lands emerged from the direction of the Howling Marsh. The treant, Maokai, stopped walking after a few paces and looked around. It could sense the presence of animals, plants... and humans.
The acid burns he had still ached as he remembered his last attempt to help their kind. The treant grew angry, and tension began to build in the air. Maokai noticed, and took a bit of time to control himself, the tension fading away as he planted himself briefly in the field he found, his saplings fanning out from him, running around and playing, happy to no longer need to ride inside of Maokai, or in the tree branches.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 15, 2013 0:20:45 GMT -5
Late April, 23 CE Mid Afternoon, Partially cloudy
The Borderlands of Demacia in the wake of the Shadow Isles invasion were a muted, less lively place, as if the attack on the city had dampened the spirit of its outer lands as well. The warmth of spring itself seemed to have been tainted by the perpetually gray overcast above the main city.
Still, the open, serene fields of the farms of the Borderlands painted the horizon with hues of green, gold, red, lavender- the crops being grown by the humblest of Demacia's people. It was a peaceful place, livestock grazing and nary a bird nor cloud in the sky. The wind blew gently, and the trees and wheat swayed lazily to the soft rustling of leaves. One could almost think there was no Invasion. The territories were clearly defined, as the howling Marsh's treeline stopped as though forbidden to enter Demacia, and for a while there was naught but dry earth before the furthest fenced crops of Rivershire were planted and farmhouses built.
The people of the Demacian Borderlands were no strangers to strange sights, but the sight of a walking tree from the undead infested Howling Marsh prompted a call for the Borderland Guard, and soon enough a squadron of riders would be in the tree's view. At the fore of the squadron was a grizzled old veteran rider, one-eyed and graying in hair, who carried the company's banner, proudly carrying their colors.
"Well... he's certainly alot taller than what we see on the fields..." Said one of the riders behind, upon seeing Maokai in his full size. The squadron had slowed to a halt some distance away.
"Fortunate we are it is no Gallows Tree that has decided to search for prey. Milady, what is your action? Shall we call for reinforcements?" Spoke the old veteran soldier, addressing their leader- a young looking knight and woman, who wore the most elaborate of armors.
"I will speak to him. As any neutral champion with no allegiance to a city state, he is a visitor until his intentions are made known." She replied, after a long moment of silence. Her face and stance suggested one who carried many burdens, and many hardships but could not express it.
Hilde approached Maokai slowly on horseback, carrying lance in one hand and opening her helm in the other. She was most wary of the frolicking saplings, wondering if they would detonate at the slightest disturbance. She remains pragmatic and rides around them. There was also a cow there grazing near Maokai. The cow had no cares for the large tree. It was a very indifferent cow. Hilde spoke to the tree as she would any who entered Demacian territories.
"Greetings,traveler. You have entered the Borders of Demacia. I am Captain Hildeguard Von Ravencroft, appointed protector of these lands. Please speak your intent for being here... Champion Maokai."
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 15, 2013 1:34:16 GMT -5
The saplings watched the lady ride up to Maokai, following her with their eyes. They're sounds of delight stopped, and the field became very, very quiet except the sounds Hildegard and her horse were making. The treant itself didn't move, the lantern in it's branches swaying in the breeze. It knew what they were doing here, the same thing the guards were doing on the wall in Noxus. They were defending their land.
Lands that humans took advantage of. Lands most of them did not deserve. But already, the Demacians were proving to be more hospitable than their counterparts. That, at least, deserved a little respect. With a voice that caused the air to vibrate, he replied.
"I seek a place to heal. I also sense... unease in this land."
His true reason for traveling could wait. They did not need to know, and he was not even sure this land would suit his purposes.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 15, 2013 2:37:03 GMT -5
Hilde pondered on an appropriate response, while having to calm her horse from the treant's booming voice. There wasn't really much she or any of her company could do to deter Maokai. He was a danger of course, but from her own judgement, he was not an immediate danger. She would take the path of diplomacy first.
"Well... I see no harm in that. As to your request, there are farmlands recently vacated by their owners. Please, follow me."
Hilde gestured for her troops to resume their patrol, then gestured for the tree to follow her. She continued speaking with Maokai as she would with a visitor, gesturing for Maokai to follow her.
"Are you staying long then? Would you like to ah, speak with a summoner? perhaps help from a healer? Or perhaps some nourishment... Er..." She asked, stopping herself. She wondered just how long Maokai needed to heal, now that she had a closer look to see the harm dealt to the great twisted treant. She also wondered what he needed to recover.
She would lead Maokai to the old Jensen farm, a property on a gently elevated property still quite some distance from the main town. the entire family having served and perished during the Invasion- and where now buried in the cemetery seen below the farm. A cemetery that had recently been expanded to accommodate the many who perished in the Shadow Isles invasion.
A gloom seemed to hover over the resting place of Demacia's heroic dead, the horrors of the Isles inflicting wounds that followed their victims' spirits to their graves. The earth of the graves of the slain felt subtly of the Shadow Isles's fell, spectral energies, nature having to slowly heal what the undead wounded. The cemetery was surrounded by a ring of freshly planted Solar Trees, a special type with subtle qualities planted especially to keep the dead at peace.
Hilde hid away her feelings from her speech, the battle still too fresh in her mind. She simply resumed speaking to Maokai, slightly projecting her voice stronger to ensure the tree could hear her well.
"The Borderlands are a large and quiet enough place, and I will ensure no one will disturb you. I request you would do the same and not disturb the farmers. We are willing to accommodate you as a guest of the State. Apart from the occasional undead or Gallow Infected that arises from the nearby Howling Marsh, Is there any else you require assistance with, Champion?"
She awaited his response, resolving to report this to her commanders personally later.
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 15, 2013 3:13:45 GMT -5
The treant knew of the dangers of the Howling Marsh, having traveled through the outer parts of it as he searched for a place to recover. Nothing too dangerous had attempted Maokai any harm, but the Marsh was no place for the saplings. This farm would be perfect for his purposes, though the graveyard felt uneasy and the treant could feel the pain there. It was a different sort than he'd felt before.
"It seems this world truly is falling apart."
He said it mostly to himself, his deep voice causing dirt to shake loose from the nearby farmhouse. The saplings, who had followed them, moved closer to the treant's large arm and he picked several of them up, putting them up into his higher branches. The ones who remained on the ground were quiet, unusual for the playful saplings. They could all feel the pain the souls had endured.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 15, 2013 3:58:12 GMT -5
Hilde again, had to re-orient herself from hearing Maokai's LARGE BOOMING VOICE, and calm her steed down. She decided to dismount, and her gaze fell on the grave. Her eyes were fixed on one particular grave which bore her family crest.
She decided to be fairly honest of the nation's state of affairs.
"Not more than a month ago, the Shadow Isles came and attacked the city. Many perished. Too many."
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 15, 2013 4:34:02 GMT -5
There was a displeased, almost growling noise at the news of the attack. Saplings cried out and fled from the treant, hiding behind the farmhouse. The ones in his branches held on for dear life. Even the trees seemed to bend away from Maokai as tension filled the air.
The treant knew losing his temper would not do any good, even though he wanted to turn that farmhouse into splinters. Instead, he focused his attention on the graveyard. Maokai could sense pain in the souls that remained, and he wanted to aid them.
"Such a waste of life."
He turned to look at Hildegard von Ravencroft. It would not do to upset the Demacians though, and this is part of what the Noxians had tried to destroy him over. It would do best to ask permission, as tiresome as it was.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 15, 2013 5:14:20 GMT -5
Hilde looked up at Maokai, an idea coming to her mind but not her lips. She continued speaking in that polite tone, wondering what the treant had in mind.
"...None at the moment. We are still renewing our numbers. It is a burden on our ranks, as many grieving families still come and visit, and more bodies are still on their way to be interred. I can only be here twice a day myself."
Rise forth, riders With blade, spear and fire
deliver justice upon a steed of wrath; the red dawn light our path!
To mine enemy's end I ride, to my king victory and pride
To the end of our days and hopes, to the moment evil does close!
Sing the last praise, our swords unsheathing crash into the enemy, their bodies breaking
Ride out our Ruin, Ride unto Glory, Ride for Demacia!-Cavalier's Creed
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 15, 2013 5:27:56 GMT -5
"I wish to help these souls."[/size]
The treant moved to face the graveyard.
"I do not wish to be attacked again for trying to help."
The acid burns would take time and energy to heal. Giving the souls in the graveyard a second chance would likely take a lot more. Those foul creatures will not be allowed to do as they wish.
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 15, 2013 22:02:01 GMT -5
The answer wasn't so simple. Even the treant didn't truly didn't understand what it was that happened when a sapling was created, only that it required a soul. Even so long after being awoken, he still didn't know a lot of how his magics worked. Just that they did.
"I need to rest first."
The treant turned away from the graveyard and walked a few paces away from the farmhouse before stopping. Maokai would not be able to do his thing while still injured. And he did not desire to reveal how little he knew about his own abilities.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 15, 2013 23:46:43 GMT -5
"Quite helpful..." She mumbled under her breath. Still, she was slightly relieved for his presence here. A League Champion of his size situated in this location would deter would be attackers from harassing the area.
"Very well. Welcome to the Duchy of Rivershire, Maokai. Enjoy your stay." She said to him, before riding back to the road to rejoin the patrol.
Maokai would find the soil he occupied to be rich and fertile- expected of a farm. Thus far, there were no disturbances to speak of in the immediate area, aside from a few curious animals that approached Maokai, like birds, squirrels, hedgehogs and field mice.
Evening
Nightfall came uneventfully, and the crickets and howl of wolves filled the air. The moon shined bright and clear in the sky. However, ominous figures stood at the treeline to the Howling Marsh, and slowly entered Demacian territory. They were living- but wrong, gravely wrong. They seemed to be humanoid, but clicked and walked on all fours, despite being bipeds. They observed Maokai from a safe distance...
Post by The Twisted Treant on Aug 17, 2013 4:08:42 GMT -5
Safe is a relative term from a being such as Maokai. One is only safe so long as Maokai does not deem it harm. The saplings who remained awake kept watch around the farm, as well as investigating the farmhouse itself. Some even played amongst graves, appearing as though they were talking to the spirits that lay there.
The treant itself hadn't moved since the conversation with Hildeguard Von Ravencroft, and everything except the lamp swinging idly in the wind suggested that this was just a normal tree from the twisted treeline. These must be some of the creatures the human warned me of.
The saplings that were still awake gathered beneath the treant, Maokai's silent call for caution. The sleepings ones rested in small mounds of dirt throughout the farm, only noticeable by the small branches sticking out from them.
Post by Hildeguard Von Ravencroft on Aug 31, 2013 20:27:45 GMT -5
The creatures stood some distance away from Maokai, clicking among themselves and crawling about. They seemed completely devoid of intelligence, and yet they moved in unison, and crept back into the Marshes for now...
The evening would pass uneventfully.
Dawn
Warm sunlight flowed over the fields and plants, and then on the cemetery as a small caravan was slowly arriving to deliver coffins. Meanwhile, the creatures returned, emerging from the marsh, once again standing at a distance from Maokai, silently watching him...
Rise forth, riders With blade, spear and fire
deliver justice upon a steed of wrath; the red dawn light our path!
To mine enemy's end I ride, to my king victory and pride
To the end of our days and hopes, to the moment evil does close!
Sing the last praise, our swords unsheathing crash into the enemy, their bodies breaking
Ride out our Ruin, Ride unto Glory, Ride for Demacia!-Cavalier's Creed
Post by The Twisted Treant on Sept 12, 2013 9:18:32 GMT -5
The treant remained still as the caravan approached, though it would be clear to any of them that this tree did not belong in the farm so close to the cemetary. Aware of the invaders from the marsh, the treant ordered the saplings to flee to the 'safety' of the farmhouse. Many of the little creatures had already found their way inside and they helped the others inside as well. Maokai did not want to risk them getting hurt.
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