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<title>The World - Chapter Extracts</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="book-page.css" />
</head>
<div class="page-number">41</div>
<h1>THE WORLD</h1>
<!-- SECTION 1: DEPTHS OF THE GREAT TREE -->
<h2>CHAPTER: The Depths of the Great Tree</h2>
<div class="section-description">
<p>
Following a group of saprobes carrying a corpse to Darkdepths, the PCs
venture among the giant roots of a titanic tree, completely covered with
fungi. Its trunk, surrounded by glowing spores, merges with the caves
ceiling and the surface ground.
</p>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Marshille:</strong> Sitting among the depths of the roots is a
giant woman with harsh, sharp features. She wears a cobweb tunic and a
large fungal cap. Her pale fingers end in extremely long nails, with which
she traces occult symbols in the air with fine precision. The giantess
speaks many languages and introduces herself as “guest and sister” of the
saprobes. Is she a descendant of the people that lived here in the past?
</li>
<li>
<strong>Life in Death:</strong> Marshille has no problem explaining her
role in Darkdepth: every creature that dies in the area is brought to her,
so that her magic might breathe new life into the tree and the entire
forest, not to mention the saprobes themselves. How do the PCs react to
this revelation? Do they think that it is legitimate to deny the mourning
families a final farewell for the good of the forest, considering those
same families draw sustenance from its fruits?
</li>
</ul>
<hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 30px 0" />
<!-- SECTION 2: THE DRAKE EXPEDITION -->
<h2>CHAPTER: The Drake Expedition</h2>
<p>
Seraphina Drake, a young and enterprising magician from the Central Academy,
is organizing an expedition to locate Darkdepth and research the mysterious
power that, according to her, controls life and death in the entire forest.
She is offering a generous salary to those who escort her and ensure her
safety.
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Mercenaries:</strong> Anxious for results, Seraphina hired some
ex-military. Which of the PCs has dealt with them in the past? What
burning defeat still torments these soldiers? Who is their leader and how
long do they actually plan on following the magicians orders?
</li>
<li>
<strong>Henrietta Drake:</strong> Seraphinas younger sister accompanies
the expedition and handles logistics and upkeep, but she is concerned
about her sisters impatience and the mercenaries methods. Her blood ties
with Seraphina make her an ideal hostage.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Temptation:</strong> After reaching Darkdepth and discovering its
ties with the life of the forest, the expedition breaks apart: Henrietta
and the mercenaries have very different priorities and this will no doubt
lead to a Villain emerging (maybe two, depending on the circumstances).
Which side, if any, do the PCs take? Do the villagers have any chance to
fight back? How will the forest react to this threat?
</li>
</ul>
<!-- QUOTES/CLOSING NOTES -->
<div class="metadata">
<blockquote>
“We do not feel joy in delivering your corpses to the roots of this old
tree, but we do so with pride and respect, yes.”
</blockquote>
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