A Complete Survey of the Natural Treasures of Summerleaf and Silverfall, Volume 3

Volume 3 - Summerleaf Farms and Surrounds

Being Extracts from a Complete Survey of the Natural Treasures of Summerleaf and SilverFall

Commissioned by the T'Nanshi Army

Written by Elvithrar Rydralla

Exploration by Elvithrar, Durlag, Hu'uruun, Anirion, Artimodoros, Enverex, Cshiiri Ren and Kyrian Cirrul.

Our group met at Le'Etzeth'Levena. We very nearly didn't proceed; the music from the musicians, the lovely Blossom and the stories Cshiri told us were all enthralling.

However, we eventually tore ourselves away and travelled to Summerleaf.

Summerleaf Farms

From the village of Summerleaf, we climbed down a long ladder to the farms themselves. They presented a most appealing aspect, consisting of fields of wheat and other crops, with a small apple orchid along side.

Forest surrounded the large sunlit clearing containing the various crops. A small but picturesque spring-fed pool occupies the southeastern corner, feeding several streams which flow into the forest to the east and north.

A narrow gorge opens to the west, and there is a small cave in the northwestern corner.

We first decided to explore the gorge. The path we found was wedged between a cliff souring into the hights and a vast chasm, the bottom of which we could not see in the light mist.

Unsure what to expect, we moved cautiously into the area. We soon found that the gorge is home to a species of giant ant which neither myself nor my companions had ever seen before.

These creatures attacked us and were quickly dispatched. Exploring the gorges further we found several narrow holes, which led down into the ant's nest.

We explored the nest and found that unsurprisingly it was literally crawling with ants. Progress was slow due to the vast swarms of the creatures, which emerged from every crevice and home in the walls, floor and ceiling.

The nest extended down and out in a tangle of passages and tunnels, some too narrow for us to pass. Eventually we found our way back to the surface and returned, not without some relief, to the sun-lit farms.

We next explored the forested areas, not being in a rush to descend under the ground again. The forest extended for some distance before becoming impenetrable, or meeting large cliffs. The northern area of forest ended to the east in a huge waterfall, which fell from high in the canopies into a deep hole.

In both areas we were attacked by poisonous snakes, which were both fast-moving and difficult to spot in amongst the undergrowth and dead leaves.

Once again we returned to the farm, this time for the night. We camped beside the spring, and had a quiet but very pleasant night.

The next morning we ventured into the northeastern cave. Almost immediately we were set upon by a great flock of blood-sucking bird-like creatures. They swept through the darkness emitting loud cries before attempting to settle on us to feed. We fought them off, but they were a continual menace so long as we stayed within the cave.

We took some samples from some interesting-looking ore and some fungi, and then retreated from the caves, the blood-suckers having never relented in their assaults.