pertwk Chapter 25 Mind-Stealing Tadpole
Chapter 25 Mind-Stealing Tadpole
Following the druid's instructions, Ronan and the others approached the camp's gate.
The white worm in the jar in the druid's hand was still wriggling, showing no change.
Then the druid said to his companions, "Let these friends in."
Upon hearing this, the druids standing in front of the camp gate joined hands and pulled the winch together, and the camp gate slowly rose.
Ronan and his group were able to enter the Druid camp.
You helped Thea enter the druid camp, and she is grateful to you.
You have gained 100 XP.
Information immediately appeared in Ronan's mind.
boom!
Just as Ronan was focused on the information in his mind, a loud bang came from behind him.
But the camp's gates slammed shut again.
The level 4 druid who had just spoken to them climbed down the wooden ladder from the rock.
Upon reaching Ronan, the level 4 druid took out the jar containing the white worm from his pouch. After confirming that the worm was normal, he said to Ronan and the others, "Gentlemen, please forgive our rudeness, for an evil force is quietly brewing, and we must be careful."
"Friends, do not worry, we are about to perform a spell to detect your good and evil."
After saying that, another level 2 druid stepped forward, chanting a spell, his body emitting a faint yellow-white light.
The next moment, the druid nodded to the level 4 druid.
Not only level 4 druids, but all other druids can only truly relax at this point.
The other druids dispersed, and a level 4 druid stepped forward, showing Ronan and the others the jar in his hand: "Friends, what's in this jar is the Mind Flayer Tadpole."
"Mind Flayers are a race that cannot reproduce. They can only increase their numbers by placing their tadpoles into the brains of other creatures, turning those creatures into Mind Flayers."
"Recently, our druid companions discovered some humanoid creatures with mind flayer tadpoles implanted in their heads. Although they have not yet been transformed into mind flayers, they are being controlled by them."
That's why we're being so cautious.
"Furthermore, I've heard that the Baal followers lurking within Baldur's Gate have shady dealings with the Mind Flayers."
"The followers of Baal are skilled in assassination, and there are many shapeshifters among them. That's why we are testing your morality."
Ronan said, "Sir, there's no need to worry. We come from Baldur's Gate and have heard about the Baal followers. It's only right that you be cautious for the safety of the camp."
"I hope you all understand." The level 4 druid looked at Ronan and thought that he must be a kind person. If it weren't for the importance of the matter, they shouldn't have tested Ronan and his group.
"Yes, if I remember correctly, my companions told me that you all came here seeking medical help," the level 4 druid asked.
Ronan nodded and then told the Level 4 Druid what had happened at Thea's house.
The druid immediately said, "Come with me. I will take you to see Elder Reynolds, the most respected elder in the camp, who will arrange for a druid skilled in pathology and herbal medicine to accompany you to Sedge Town."
Ronan and the others then followed the level 4 druid deeper into the camp.
Although it was winter, the trees in the camp were still lush and green, showing no signs of decay.
On the way, everyone introduced themselves.
This level 4 druid is named "Kieran Locke" and was born in a small town in Eltorgard.
Because he suffered a serious illness as a child, he was saved by a druid in a serene green garden. Under the druid's influence, he admired nature and later devoted himself to learning druidic arts, eventually becoming an excellent druid himself.
The Emerald Courtyard is the largest druidic organization on the continent of Faerûn, dedicated to maintaining the balance between nature and order.
The druids in this camp, also from the Green Garden, have always maintained contact with the druids in the surrounding Green Gardens. That's why they pay attention to those evil people who are hiding in the shadows and plotting schemes.
Kieran glanced at Owlbear and asked, "Who cast this 'Beast-to-Friend' spell? Are there druids among you?"
Ronan said, "This is what I released, but it's not 'Beast-to-Friend'. I learned it from a mage, but perhaps the inspiration for this spell came from 'Beast-to-Friend'."
Kieran and the others chatted as they continued deeper into the camp.
Along the way, the druids went about their own business, but when they saw Zilean, they all stopped what they were doing to greet him, and Zilean responded to each of them.
As you walk deeper into the camp, you'll see an open space in the middle.
Above the open space, the branches of the surrounding trees continued to grow towards the center, forming a large opening, like a skylight.
The winter sun shone down through this large opening.
The druids basked in the sunshine in twos and threes; some were drinking tea, some were chatting, and some were playing chess.
In the sunlight, there was an old man with a hunched back and a crown woven from branches and leaves that resembled deer antlers on his forehead. Beside him was a small table with a plate of pastries, a pot of tea, and a teacup from which steam rose.
Upon seeing the old man, Kieran said to Ronan and the others, "Gentlemen, this is Elder Reynolds, the most respected elder in our camp. I didn't expect that the elder would also be out resting."
Kieran stepped forward, performed a druid's distinctive greeting, and said to the old man, "Elder Reynolds, these friends behind me have found their way here by following the map of the wanderers you know."
Elder Reynolds looked at Ronan and the others, his slightly cloudy eyes filled with a hint of reminiscence, and said:
"Yes, Kohler and I have indeed had some pleasant and memorable tea conversations. He is indeed an excellent wanderer, helping our camp complete many tasks. However, his disdain for nature makes this old man quite angry..."
"However, it seems like we haven't seen each other for a long time, twenty years... thirty years...?"
Elder Reynolds spoke very slowly and in a breathy voice, appearing to be very old.
Ronan stared at Elder Reynolds, and lines of text appeared above Reynolds' head.
Race: Human
"Class": Level 5 Druid
--property--
【Power 9】
【Agility 7】
[Body Condition 9]
[Intelligence Level 10]
【Perception 16】
【Charm 10】
Ronan looked at Elder Reynolds's wrinkled face and wondered how old the elder was.
A level 5 professional has strength, agility, and physique that are no longer at the level of an ordinary person.
It seems that a professional who doesn't aspire to legendary status or receive divine favor ultimately cannot withstand the erosion of time.