Transcript:Bloody notes
Ruins of Flamtaer
by Acolyte Otrava
On my travels today I ventured quite far into the Humblethorn forest and came across a strange tree that lived within a dark ruin. It was a hollow tree, the largest I'd ever seen and the only one this far south. It was said that they were hollow for an immense energy flowed through them which could be harnessed by skilled Zarosian warlocks. Even if that were true, this one clearly had its energy taken already for the trunk had burst open revealing its dark cavernous interior.
I sat there observing the tree when the strangest thing happened - it spoke. A gnarled old voice croaked out in fear at me. 'Blood and ashes! The chaotic horde approaches!'. At first I figured it was some type of cruel joke, clearly there must be a man sitting within the tree, hiding from sight. That, however, was not the case, the tree was incredibly empty and the voice continued to speak with me.
~
It's clear that the bark of the hollow tree retains magic incredibly well - the tree agrees with me on such matters. I've also been experimenting lately with the silk that can be harvested from bloodworms. My teachers say playing with such foul creatures can leave a shadow on your soul but I firmly believe we're missing out on a wealth of healing knowledge. The silk is much like the bark from the hollow tree, it holds a spell well. The tree might be of more help if it keeps speaking, I shall return to it at once.
The more I visit the tree, the more it speaks so I've thought up a new name - the Chatter Tree. Today it told me of its old home of Kharyrll that was recently destroyed. I corrected the tree of course, the fortress still stands but it wouldn't listen. After that it started to whisper about an old binding spell I should know but the magic is strange and utilised only by the dark Zarosian warlocks and outlawed for followers of Saradomin. The Chatter Tree insisted I was to write it down even if I don't plan to use it.
~
News came today from the north - the tree had predicted the fall of Kharyrll, how could this be? I went back to the Chatter Tree as I needed answers. I took the ingredients for the binding spell, it seemed this might have been why he gave it to me. The magic required a large quantity of blood which was going to be difficult to acquire until I remembered the bloodworms.
I approached the tree during dusk and was surprised to find within it slept a man that looked to be a dishevelled warlock, his robes were covered in Zarosian symbols. A whisper on the wind recited the binding spell and I began to echo it as I placed the sack of bloodworms into the arms of the sleeping man. I awoke the next morning leaning against the tree, the hole where the man had slept had disappeared and in its place was a hideous smile. No more chatter came from the tree now that its mouth had closed, only a faint whispering could be heard in the wind.