The Trial of the Wolpertingers

Officer Lio approached me the other day and asked for some assistance with a request he received from Mama Parse. I humbly accepted and began my usual preparations. Apparently the Worpletingers have begun a project to clear their forest of the interplanar flowers that have begun growing all over the world. So Lio and I joined with Officer Vatna and Officer Krieg and departed.
 
We arrived at the small village and were greeted rather enthusiastically by Mama Parse as she scooped us all up into her arms and gave us a big hug! She introduced us to her children Ol/Ive, Mozzer/ Ella, and Besh/Amel. As I took care to memorize their funny names, Mama Parse told us to lead them on an incursion into the forest! We were to let them do all the work and only step in if absolutely necessary! Easy enough!
 
As we entered into the forest we spied one of the plants in the distance. As I understood it, the forest could be a dangerous place. So before we went further I decided that I should give an inspiring speech and offer my protection to the children. Lio and Vatna must have thought the same because as I was putting my shield on Ol and Ive they did the same for the other children. And good thing too! Because right after we did the plant attacked! It somehow managed to grab all of us without anyone noticing! We all jumped into action and as the children charged the plant absolutely demolishing it, Vatna played a most relaxing song which even made flowers bloom! Mama Parse looked very proud of her children as we marched deeper into the forest.
 
The next plant was surrounded by a family of hedgehogs. They looked like they were about to eat it! Luckily enough Krieg was quick to intervene. And with Mozzer negotiating and Krieg translating, we were able to avoid any confrontation. Krieg even fed the Hedgehogs and made some new friends!
 
As we journeyed deeper into the forest Parse lamented the loss of her husband and sister. Apparently, three years ago they mysteriously disappeared. That would be awful! Just having someone disappear with no explanation! Anyway, next up, we came up to a hole with vines coming out of it.
 
Krieg asked the children who among them was interested in Botany. Ol/live stepped up to the ledge. I look away for two seconds and Ol, Lio and Vatna all jump into the hole! There have been quite a few times since arriving in Liminal that I have had no idea what was going on, this one goes to the top of the list. So the rest of us go to look to see what was so interesting and all I see is that the hole is really deep. Krieg mounts Squishy and gives one end of a rope to Mama Parse and floats down. Once he reached the bottom, we all descend the rope.
 
At the bottom we entered into a large corridor, with a river of red sap and plants and vines lining the walls. We also heard sounds of battle from further in. We pressed onward and arrived at a giant cavern! Funnily enough I thought the placed looked a bit familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it at the time.
 
As we entered, a pair of enormous figures could be seen fighting a giant plant! If only you could have seen it! They were wielding claymores the size of a small tree! Turns out, these two were the long lost husband and sister of Mama Parse! Aspara and Gus! Plants approached from all sides and we set up to defend Aspara/Gus as they fought the main plant. Everyone else guarded the entrances while Lio, Crabert and I took our place on the rock in the center of the room.
 
As I steeled myself for the upcoming battle I surveyed my surroundings. I took a good long look at Aspara And Gus, they were absolutely radiant! They looked at me and seemed surprised to see me. They were excited and called me a little guardian of the forest. I had never felt such a rush before! A fire was lit deep within my core and I was PUMPED UP for this fight!
 
The first wave of plants was handily dealt with by the Worpletingers. They are all so amazing! There were more coming and this time they snuck underneath the sap! A big one emerged right in front of the rock we were on and knocked me flat before I could react! As I stood up, I locked eyes with Aspara. She was worried and looked like she was going to come over and help! But she had her job and I had mine, I told her to leave this one to me! I directed Crabert to open up the plant so that I could get a good shot. I wound up my flaming acorn and threw as hard as I could. I took another wallop to the head as my attack found purchase and the beast was slain! As I dealt with the big one in the middle, the rest of the group made short work of this wave of plants.
 
I thought we were done but Ol informed everyone that there was another plant coming and that it was bigger all of the other ones! I steeled myself once more as the fire within bubbled up and I yelled as loud as I could "Everyone together now!" The Worpletingers simultaneously unleashed a war cry and we all went to work! In the chaos Officer Akhana made an awe inspiring entrance. With guns a blazing she rode in on her motorcycles and cut the plant demon to ribbons within the blink of an eye! So cool! At the same time Aspara and Gus ripped the giant bulb in half with just their arms. Two amazing feats back to back, I just stood there speechless!
 
The battle was won and everyone was celebrating. Gus ran and picked Lio up. I thought it was funny but before I could react Aspara came and picked me up and set me on her shoulder. I find it hard to explain exactly what I felt in that moment, but it was a feeling of overwhelming joy for sure! Aspara/gus told us of how they were pulled into a rift but managed to fight their way back and were holding off the everything coming through the rift! That must have been so exhausting!
 
As I sat there on the shoulder I remembered why this room felt so familiar. I have been here in a vision before. The feeling unmistakable, I am high in the air as I ready my sling ready to throw. The vision never revealed what I was fighting but I felt compelled to draw my weapon. I load in an acorn. I wind up. And turn around to see... a redcap?! Here?! I do not hesitate and attacked! I must have thrown harder than I thought because the single blow was enough to vanquish my foe.
 
We hurry to seal the rift that was in the room and Lio must have been in too much of a hurry because he almost fell right in! I managed to grab him before that could happen. Vatna sealed the tear using silver thread and it turned the rift into a door! How cool is that! I wonder if we will start doing hat to all of the rifts we find.
 
The mission was a complete success! We even managed to do more than we set out to do! To celebrate we took the kids out for ice cream! Yay icecream!