The journey south continued through a foreboding clearing. Shadows loomed long, and an eerie silence hung over the group as they progressed. Eventually, the landscape shifted, and they came upon a hill marked by ancient ruins and a massive, gnarled tree at its center. Around the tree, figures moved in ritualistic fashion. "That must be the Forest Folk," [[Ellette|Ellette]] whispered, her hand resting on her blade. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s eyes narrowed as he pointed upward. “There’s a glowing energy source up there. That’s got to be the gem.” The party quickly devised a plan. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] would create a distraction on the ground, drawing the attention of the cultists and the tree’s defenses, while [[Ellette|Ellette]], [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]], and [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] would climb the massive tree to retrieve the gem. The plan started well. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]]’s revolver cracked loudly, and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] sent flames roaring toward the cultists, scattering them and disrupting their chants. The chaos on the ground gave the climbing team just enough time to make their way up the massive tree, their hands finding holds on the rough bark. But the tree began to groan and shift, its branches moving like arms to swat at the intruders. The cultists below regrouped and unleashed a barrage of spells and attacks at [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. The two were quickly overwhelmed. “Forget this,” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] growled as he holstered his revolver and began scaling the tree. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] followed suit, blasting fire downward to keep the cultists at bay. From above, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] shouted, “Hurry! The tree is alive!” In the distance, Strahd Von Zarovich stood silently, his piercing gaze fixed on the chaos. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] spotted him and, without hesitation, took aim and fired. The bullet missed, and Strahd did not flinch. His presence only added to the group’s growing unease. The party reunited at the top of the tree, desperately fending off attacks from both the tree itself and the cultists below. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] spotted something embedded in the tree’s core: a spear, glowing with an ominous energy. “It’s at the centre!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] shouted, climbing toward it. As [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] grabbed the spear, his arm seemed to stick to it, the bark wrapping around his wrist as if the tree were trying to consume him. “I can’t let go!” he cried. The tree let out a deafening groan and began attacking frantically. One of its massive branches struck [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]], sending him tumbling off the tree. Without hesitation, [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] dove after him, grabbing him mid-air. “Hold on!” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] yelled, curling his body to shield [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. As they plummeted, [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] cast _Enlarge_ on [[Qwimby|Qwimby]], who landed with a thunderous crash, taking the brunt of the fall. [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] was knocked unconscious, and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] barely clung to life. Atop the tree, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] continued to struggle with the spear. Its energy pulsed, and a high-pitched charging noise filled the air. “It’s going to explode! Leave me!” he shouted. “No,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] said firmly. Her blade flashed. “[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], this might hurt.” With a single swing, she severed [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s arm at the shoulder, "Half of this arm was a prosthetic anyway" [[Ellette|Ellette]] said to try making the situation more bearable for [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] screamed, collapsing as the spear dislodged. The tree let out an unearthly wail before exploding from the top down, its bark rotting and falling away. [[Ellette|Ellette]], [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]], and the injured [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] tumbled to the ground, bruised and battered. Blood poured from [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s wound as [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] frantically cast healing magic. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], pale but determined, began chanting an ancient spell. “Put a stick in my arm,” he told [[Ellette|Ellette]]. Confused but trusting, she did as he asked. Vines began to grow from the stick, twisting and forming into a new arm. The process nearly killed him, but [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] finally collapsed with a vine-covered prosthetic where his arm had been. The party regrouped, reviving [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. Battered but alive, they prepared to claim the gem at the tree’s core. As they approached, Strahd swooped down gracefully, his black cloak billowing as he landed. “Thank you for your gift,” he said with a mocking smile, plucking the gem from the debris. Before anyone could react, he took to the skies, the gem glinting in his hand. “You Fucking Cunt!” [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] screamed, hurling a rock he just picked up at him. Strahd’s laughter echoed as he disappeared into the night. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] give the middle finger in Strahd's General Direction Defeated but alive, the party retreated. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] conjured a small _Tiny Hut_ where they could rest, its invisible dome shielding them from the horrors of the forest. They huddled together, their minds heavy with the loss of the gem and the growing threat of Strahd. [[Chapter 62. Echoes of the Past]]