Rose Blaque

[EM Mystique]

Born under the a clear night sky with only a sliver of the moon to be seen, beneath the blossoms of a velvet rich black rose the child was kissed with a petal neatly on her head. In the palm of her tiny hand one lone freckle rumored by the midwives that the gods showed favor on her. The name she was given, Rose Blaque, in honor of the sacred canopy she took her first breath in the world of Elves and Men.
Fluent in the language of flora and fauna, Rose grew quickly in her knowledge of plants and herbs. A burning curiosity of new plants and their properties, both benevolent and malevolent, she focused on finding those that were beneficial and beautiful.
One of the older women in the village, whom she called Gramma, helped to guide her in the ways of herbology. Each morning they would walk arm in arm through gardens and woods seeking new plants. Rose kept a detailed journal of all the plants they found. Those she could not pick or take a sample she would sketch in minute detail.
Days melted into months turning into years as the women grew in knowledge and appreciation of the nature that surrounded the village. One somewhat gloomy morning as they traveled they discovered a mysterious vine. Closer inspection revealed that the vine was wrapping and tangling around a tree sucking the life from its bark and leaves.
The women could hear the tree cry in agony as the vine crept. They were compelled to action in order to assist the tree, but the vine attacked back with an oozing toxin that burned their flesh and left welts and stinging blisters everywhere that had contact with the vine. They tried fire, but it made the vine’s poison spread faster. They tried lightning, but it damaged the tree. Finally they tried ice cold water. The tree seemed relieved and the vine cowered and shrank in its intensity.
Finally a defense against the copper colored vine that ravished the forest where it grew. The one vine was withering away in the cold, but when they looked up a new horror greeted their eyes. The entire forest was littered with the writhing slithering vines wrapping around the trees.
Gramma turned to Rose and with a pained look in her eyes told her of a plan. She was instructed to travel the lands in search of the right potion or herb that would rid the lands of the menacing vines for good.
In preparation for her journey Gramma presented Rose with a bundle of rations, a grape vine walking stick and a locket with fragrant herbs to remind her of home, and as a last item a pair of star light earrings to help her find her way in the world of Men. The task she held was of great urgency, but the quest would be long. There would be many adventures on the way and perhaps new friends would be made. Fear and excitement gripped the heart of Rose Blaque as she ventured into the great unknown.

 

[EM Mystique]

Rose Blaque Journal:

Journal Entry:
My first day out in this new world, I do hope it will be helpful. These creeping vines that torment the forests of my home lands are a dreadful pest. Perhaps the knowledge of those who live in the new lands will be beyond my own. It would be my hope too that they would be willing to share!
It is such a cold place here. An icy tundra to be sure, with a strange howling that I can hear in the night. It is almost as if the snow is haunted by a mysterious force. An uneasy feeling creeps into my heart and now it seems I am followed. I dare hope it is not one of the tormented ghost beings, but the animal that owns the tracks I have noticed. They seem canine in nature, but very Large Canine! I will assume for the moment it means me no harm, for surely it would have done so by now.

*tokuno islands*

 

[EM Mystique]

Day two:
Oh how the adventure went from Cold to Hot! There was a short tunnel from the frozen tundra that opened into a most glorious land of lush green and framed with gorgeous pink flowering trees. Their fragrance was intoxicating belying the grave dangers that hid and lurked in their shade.

I was greeted by a Llama that spoke to me saying she was the sister of one named Cutter. Quite an intriguing land to be sure when animals can speak out right. Others were summoned to join the talking llama. A grand Dragon tamer joined the growing escort along with several others. Yakuza, Redemption, Sara, and Gridlock proved most brave against the sneaky little ninja characters who popped out of no where to torment and stalk our little party.

There was also a place that required a speedy traverse. It was a black forest full of vile vermin who seemed intent on shooing us from their lands. The trees released a sinister moan in that part of the path, it is most sure that there would not be a place to stop for long. We found many horrible creatures such as spiders and poison turtles.

There were a few places of interest that were wonderful to be sure. A small tea house full of fragrant baskets of tea leaves and little bowls of the brew they made from the leaves. The aroma was wonderful and I did not wish to leave.

Our little journey continued into an opening that lead into the heart of a volcano! Here ,one of my escorts noted, was the home of an unusual rodent. She was Not wrong! By all that is good and holy in this world I have Never seen Anything like the small rabbit that lives in the volcano. It ran so fast it was difficult to keep track of where it roamed.

As we continued there was discovered three headed wolves and more of the sneaky little ninjas before finding a magic gate surrounded by a circle of stones. I stepped into the gate and was transported to another world with equal beauty.

I will rest in this new city for the night. I believe one of them called it Mokoto. Oh the fountains and pools are simply too glorious to ignore. I will remain and explore more, if for nothing more than to enjoy the gardens!

 

[EM Mystique]

Day Three:

Oh this land is indeed a wonder! The cooks and homemakers have perfected a tea that is relaxing as well as invigorating. I am curious as to its future usefulness. It is called Green Tea, which is rather appropriate considering it is indeed Green. One tiny woman who ran the local Inn where I stayed mixed several fragrant herbs with the tea. Oh My what a most wonderful blend! It seems this tea has the ability to be mixed with almost anything to create something marvelous.

I will need to continue the travels soon I think, although this land of exotic beauty is rather appealing. I must focus on the task that brought me to this place, the poison creeping vines that have plagued my home world. There must be some remedy! I only hope it will not be too late when I discover it.

 

[EM Mystique]

Day Four:
The day began with a grand adventure to yet another island of wonder. My escort, Lady Redemption, and I found a house full of amazing plants! It was well kept and had such a variety I was overtaken with awe. We continued our travels and encountered these lovely but deadly creatures that looked quite a bit fox like only with multiple tails. Their beauty was rather hazardous to say the least.

We took a tour of an adorable little garden maze. It was much more planted for show than for any real challenge. There were plants there that I was compelled to study, and would enjoy doing so in much greater detail at another time.

Oh! There it is again! There are paw prints in the soft earth. I followed them a short way to find myself staring almost eye to eye with a most beautiful white wolf. I do not know what possessed me but I reached out my hand to pet it, and as soon as I felt its thick fur I was transported to a dark land.
*quickly closes the journal and puts it away*

 

[EM Mystique]

*wakes with a start in a new place, tucked in a strange bed in a room with a library*

I woke this day in a completely new surrounding it was all I could do to keep wits about me. I am quite unsettled, but this is an adventure with purpose. I must find the components in which to make a cure or find the formula to extinguish the horrible poison vines from our lands before they spread to others. I am hoping that this new place will lend itself to answers.

 

[EM Mystique]

I was greeted by citizens today who lead me around to some most amazing places! We went into a place they named the Abyss. In truth, it does seem a big hole in the ground. The vines there that were shown were not the ones that plague my home lands, but they do seem rather troubling.
After the Abyss we went to another house that had amazing gardens! There I was shown some plants with unusual cure properties. I am curious to know if this will be of benefit. Perhaps the curing property with the petals along with the revitalizing properties of the green tea leaves will prove affective against the irritation of the poison plants. I will need to investigate this further.
We were then transported to a town named Britain here I will keep for a while and test the theory of these new plants. I do hope it will prove beneficial.

 

[EM Mystique]

I have spent several days in the town of Britain and have been able to speak to a few healers and herbalists who are trying to assist in the search for the cure of this plight in my Home World. It seems that cold and a burst of energy has indeed proven effective against the menacing plants, but what of the affliction to the bodies of those who would be brave enough to venture in where they grow? The skin irritation is most hazardous, and to some even deadly. There must be a reasonable way to counter the affects on the body.
I have collected a few ingredients in my travels, but it seems there is not quite enough or we still lack a key component to make it truly beneficial. I am baffled as to what we lack. It is a pity to be sure that my own skills and learning are so lacking in this matter. I feel so helpless to know how to assist, but I am quite thankful for the combined efforts of these that I have found.

The other bit of information I was given is rather troubling. The reason we have garnered such useful information is because it seems the infestation has spread to this world as well. The healers have dozens of patients who show the same symptoms of those in my own world. The ingredients I have procured in my travels I am assured are useless and rather insufficient to assist in relieving the discomfort of those with the poison. I, however, remain hopeful that there is a way to make this useful.

I will continue my search to make this a viable asset to this problem. To that end I have been sent to an Abbey in which there is a great amount of resources in which to continue my research. Empath Abbey I hope, will be a place of rest and great accomplishments.

 

[EM Mystique]

More Days passed and I think I finally have a clue! I was visited by the White Wolf again, I have named it BriarPatch because of where he was discovered. He about ripped off my arm as I helped him from the entanglements, but since then we have been fast friends. I think we are friends at least, or as friendly as a wild animal can be with an elf.
At any rate, BriarPatch has given me a new clue to the extent of the problem with the poison. It seems that he has discovered an ointment that can protect against the irritation from the plants. Where it was acquired he does not wish to share, but I am beginning to wonder if it is not from a place that is rather dangerous.
One more note of interest, the monks in the Abbey have been pacing the halls in a more frantic manner. One of their ranks who had been on some missionary travel was brought in with a “horrible infection” and sent to quarantine immediately upon his arrival. The small glimpse I had showed the same red welts on his skin that I have seen in my own World. It would seem that affliction of poison indeed has come to this land. He came from a land named Umbra. I hope he will be able to assist in finding the affected forest.
~*~
A sad note, the Monk who was brought in has died from the poison. Apparently it spread into his lungs. He did not survive the night. There is a heavy cloud of sorrow that lingers.

 

[EM Mystique]

FINAL BATTLE:

The Joy that rules this day as I wander the forest that once was infested with the horrible poison ivy is beyond words to express! Clean and fresh the trees breathe and wave in a new vigor. The citizens of this land rallied in great force against the Poisons. The battle ensued long into the night, but when the day was done the bodies that littered the field were those of the weeds and infected trees.

BriarPatch and his great assistance in finding these horrible plants proved invaluable. The Poison Ivy was persistent in its desire to spread and infect the forest and glade where we fought, but all was found and eradicated. There is great pride that I feel in this land and its people.