The party hides behind some boulders in an attempt to get a short rest, but are quickly interrupted by some patrolling guards. After clearing these foes, the group found it best to sneak their way around the backside of the giant hill. What they encountered here was an ancient, grasping, Gulthias Tree. Bound with thick vines and branches to its upper trunk was a trapped man named, connected to the tree by hundreds of small black thorny vines, similar to that of the Gulthias Staff. The tree was feeding off hiss blood in preparation for some foul ritual. Sitting high inside the tree was one of the leaders of the Forest Folk. He seemed to ignore the group and babbled incoherently while covering himself in bloody sap. Soon the group found themselves surrounded by dozens of blights within the grove of trees.
Thinking quickly, Caleb snapped the Gulthias Staff over his knee, causing a piercing shriek to emerge from within it. This pulsing scream went out like a shockwave, and as it passed the blights, they withered and fell into nothing but mulch. Infuriated, the spellcaster in the tree began to defend the grove but was quickly outnumbered and killed by the party. The large, ominous tree then released the injured Sigel from its grasps, but then defended itself as the group got within its range. Planted deep into the bark of the tree was the spear that Kavan had told the party of. As the group continued their assault on the Gulthias Tree, it spawned more blights and used its branches and fearful presence in its attacks. After freeing the Blood Spear clear from the trunk, the party moved away from the tree and let it be. This newly gained spear may prove useful as it rewards the user with health upon getting kills with it.
Just beyond the party, within a large circle of dark stones, a chanting could be heard by the party. The Forest Folk were quickly starting their summing ritual.
