Bob the Tree Returns to His Old Self

One day, unannounced, the voice of the realm lingered in the air on the Path of Loneliness, telling all who could read that Bob the Tree had been damaged by Ledah and would not get better without help. Eventually this led to the realm gathering over 30 people at the path, all of them trying to make Bob better. Did they manage it?
Read on. Once long ago in a land called MD
One called Virtuous Pride did damage lone Tree
Followed then by a puppet with similar view
Mister Ledah did damage Bob’s stature, too

And though Bob had always had Guardians near
Who kept him surviving through kindness or fear
This time there was but one by his side
But in dreamland he lay,
So no need to hide

And so, the voice of the realm spoke clearly. Telling all of the shame of allowing such a travesty–or perhaps to tell of great glory for those who wished Bob unwell. Time passed. The Guardians tried to revive him, to make him well again. Blackwood Forest attempted a gathering for a solution he had come up with… but alas…. Bob’s last bloom had come and now only the cold words lingered in the air.

It seemed nobody cared enough, not his enemies to finish what they had started, nor his Guardians who seemed to have given up. It was clear to all that tree was strong and might recover, but not without help.

In a small mind pocket hidden away, the Guardians worked, considering how they might aid the lonesome, damaged Tree, until, one day, Zleiphneir was talking to his good friend Keida on the Path of Loneliness.

A spark of light in a dying fire

Zleiphneir sighed and smeared some of his green healing fluid onto Bob. The weight of Bob’s continued illness bore down harder on him each day. “Hello dear ex-goat!” said Sasha Lilas, smiling warmly. Z went to respond but was leapt on by Keida. Sasha’s gentle demeanour shifted, her eyes ablaze with crimson and she stormed off down the path, her cloak trailing behind her. “Hey Z,” said an oblivious and grinning Keida. “She’s a funny one,” Z remarked. They watched Sasha disappear in silence before a short discourse ensued, and strangely, Sasha returned.

Zleiphneir
I am quite well indeed, although troubled by Tree’s constant illness. We have decided it is time we must fix him.

Keida
He'll be ok, right?

Zleiphneir
If we don't do something, no, he won't be. He is already damaged terribly. Such sparkles as you might have once seen from him, he can no longer bring himself to make.

Sasha Lilias returned to the scene, her crimson eyes gleaming, and she laughed.

sasha lilias
The tree shall die, slowly and painfully.

Keida glared, her eyes turning red as her form shimmered.

Zleiphneir
She is correct. If we do not do something, he will.

Sasha Lilias blinked, her eyes returning to the deep blue they once were.

sasha lilias
*smiles warmly* How are you, Z?

Zleiphneir
Troubled my double-headed friend.

sasha lilias
My sister and I could try to help if you wish?

Keida
Please do Sasha.

Zleiphneir
We need lots of people who care. Many people, their thoughts and energy.

Keida
Whatever will help bob.

sasha lilias
Z, my music can help. I found this out when I was younger. I don't quite know how, but it is as if the wood it was crafted from is still alive and in touch with the surrounding nature. Animals gather at the tunes.

Zleiphneir
Your music would be wonderful, but it must be amplified by will, not enough care as you do.

sasha lilias
I believe that if my sister and I worked together we may just be able to make him feel a little better.

sasha lilias
Perhaps we should try?

Zleiphneir
Do try...try all you can.

sasha lilies
I shall call for my sister. Oh, just a warning... um, I have never tried this before... I do believe it will work, but it may take some time...

Zleiphneir
Tree loves music; Marvolo used to play him tunes on his flute.

Marvolo coincidentally woke up and opened one eye.

Marvolo
Wha?

Lunar priestess
You called for me sister?

sasha lilias
Sister, we need your hand.

Lunar priestess
May I ask why?

sasha lilias
I believe if we play music together for Bob, we may be able to heal him, sister.

Lunar priestess
I am not sure about this.

Marvolo
Why did I wake up hearing my name, actually?

sasha lilias
We need your music Marvy.

Marvolo
Oh? For what reason?

sasha lilias
I think we may be able to help him revive a little. Not much, but enough to extend his life a good while.

Marvolo grabbed his bag and took his lute from it

sasha lilias
Wait.

Marvolo
Hm?

sasha lilias
We need more people.

Marvolo
I can't magically summon a crowd, sorry.

Keida
Hold on, Z and I can run to get more people.

Exercise is good for the brain, apparently

And so Keida and Zleiphneir ran the length and breadth of the realm of Magic Duel, calling, begging, demanding, insisting, whispering, asking for someone, anyone, to come and lend their help to the healing of Bob the Lonely Tree. In a last ditch attempt to summon aide, Zleiphneir sang a short song at the Hidden Loreroot Exit to the spirit of the forest’s old protector:

Knator, who aids in Loreroot fight
Spirit aid us in our plight
For he a tree like thine the same
Has been cast down by puppet thane
The woodland you had pledged protect
Please aid us, and with that, respect

Meanwhile, back at Bob, the musicians were getting out and tuning their instruments, and slowly but surely, a crowd began to gather.

A short lull before the storm

sasha lilias
What type of tune do you think?

Marvolo
Let me think.

Keida skipped back to Bob.

sasha lilias
Lunar, would you care to explain your gifts?

Lunar priestess
Sister, must I?

sasha lilias
Please, we must try.

Lunar priestess
Very well.

Lunar priestess pulled off the glove from her left hand, it glowed a slight green and she bent down to look at a small, dying flower beside Bob. She touched it with her gloveless hand and slowly the wilted plant started regaining its colour, the withered leaves and petals started looking healthy again. She took her hand away: the plant healed.

Anatoli
It seems Bob is doing alright. What do you think he has problem with? And who said he needs it? Leave him to his nature; it's better!

Mr Mystery
A good idea would be to let Bob be. Let nature play its course. And try not to be God, and tempt to for long life.

Kafuuka
Well spoken Mister, yet methinks a little fertilizer won't hurt.

Mr Mystery
Why let a poor tree suffer more, only knowing that there are those that seek to destroy its very existence.

Curiose
I think that Bob needs a lady friend so we can have many Bobs.

Anatoli
Trees don’t grow that way Curiose.

Curiose
I know, but through germination and such, we will have many little Bobs. When he blooms, he will have pollen, and if there is a lady friend, she will have blossoms that will get germinated.

Anatoli
I don’t know what Z will feel!

Mr Mystery
Would any of you like to be stabbed, and then re-heal again, then shortly again stabbed? The agony, the pain, Bob must feel. Do you guys, even have empathy for it?

The Phoenix
He doesn't need healing, he needs care: a bucket full of water beside him everyday, watering him every morning, and a gentle touch every moment.

Marvolo
Mystery, let those who hurt him stop, instead of stopping Bob's life.

Mr Mystery
The only way to heal Bob, forever, is to let it carry on. Let it be one with the MD soils once more. Let it be a part of the ground which we stand on. And let its nutrients feed life into other plants. There will always be those who will hurt Bob, regardless of what we do.

sasha lilias
Mr Mystery we wish for positive thoughts not negative. Please watch if you are going to be negative.

Sephirah Caelum
I brought some water from the East lands.

Keida
What of those who love Bob, Mr Mystery?

Mr Mystery
Those who love Bob should know what is best for bob. And what is best is to really put yourself in Bob's place.

Mojomuppet
What happens to the one that wishes Bob ill?  They will then be after something else. It's a very vicious circle.

Mr Mystery
How would you like to be hurt every now and then--stabbed, poisoned--and when death is almost here, you are healed again, only to let the cycle continue once more?  How long do you keep Bob "alive?" How long have you prolonged his life, when it's down? And now Bob is to be healed again to suffer another cruel cycle.

Anatoli
Well, Mystery, what you say is giving up because of the obstacles we have seen on the road. Bob must not give up!

Zleiphneir ran back puffing and panting. He looked up and smiled widely.

Zleiphneir
People came! They still care!

sasha lilias
Of course they do.

Mr Mystery sighed.

Marvolo
Mr Mystery, we need Positive thoughts. If you are not ok with our doings, then leave please.

Mr Mystery
So you would rather be covered with lies?

Marvolo
No, we are covered with hope and love.

Mr Mystery
Why heal when you will only hurt him some more? Prolonging a life is not always the answer.

Marvolo
Neither is ending it, M.

Zleiphneir
Everyone, come up with an idea, something, anything. We can all put our efforts into each idea. Maybe one will work? Sasha already has one.

Keida
Llet's get to work!!

The Healing art of Music

People began coming up with ideas for how Bob might be healed. Some were discussed and rejected, some implemented. Each one had a leader followed by a willing crowd.

sasha lilias
My sister, Lunar, is able to feel life and death, and, to some extent, give or take it. This usually only applies to small, living objects. I believe that we can channel this gift into our instruments so that our music can gain the small amount of "healing" properties. I also believe that if we all connect and push our wills for this to work we can amplify the effects. If we may? Can we all get into a semi-circle please?

While the musicians readied themselves, the semi-circle formed: Zleiphneir, Druzik, Curiose, Mojomuppet, Kafuuka, Ravenstrider, Sephirah Caelum, Sagewoman, Shadowseeker, Lunar Priestess and Handy Pockets all joined hands in a large semi-circle around Bob at Sasha’s instruction.

sasha lilias
Now comes the hard part: we all need to will the energy to try to heal Bob through our music.

At this command, the group began to concentrate, focusing their will for Bob to be well, and some released heat to boost the energy. Before they began, Marvolo took his flask of pure raindrops and let three drops fall on the ground, commanding them with his ancient words--“Eadrom Baisti”--to multiply. It began to rain. Mr. Mystery continued to complain of the wrongness of what was being done, but with a steely glare Marvolo began playing his lute, Sasha her harp, and Nimrodel her flute. A song to heal Bob: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgnDHZvqIz4&feature=related

Some began humming or singing along and many focused their energy into the music being played.  The music ended and all eyes fell on Bob, but despite the heartfelt love and compassion, the spell had not worked. Sasha sighed and lowered her head.

Zleiphneir
Sasha, that was beautiful.

Sasha Lilias
Not beautiful enough.

EarthMother

Anatoli
I know everyone has goodwill for Bob. But only goodwill itself won’t help, I guess.

Zleiphneir
Goodwill will help. It will. Another idea perhaps? We are to try everything we can. That is the only hope I can think of.

*Sagewoman*
I am daughter of EarthMother. Perhaps I can invoke her presence. A Tree grows not only by light, water, and earth. The presence of EarthMother is the Will behind its growth.

Keida
I say we let Sage try!

Zleiphneir
Sage to take the lead.

*Sagewoman*
Very well. Let me see if mother will hear my voice.

Anatoli
Most important, will she answer your call?

*Sagewoman*closed her eyes for a moment and summoned the inner Light. Her eyes opened and only a Gold Light was seen as she spoke.

*Sagewoman*
~I invoke your name, O Goddess, EarthMother.~
~Mother who gives life to all her children: the earth, the trees, the creatures of water, sky and land.~
~Hear my Voice as I summon your Presence to the Path of Loneliness.~
~Look upon your Child, the Tree called Bob. Feel the Love that surrounds it.~
~Be it your Will, come and heal your Child, the valiant Tree Bob~

Anatoli
Earth, Enricher of Life, You dispel the dark shadow of death and the disorder of vast, endless Chaos. You hold back the winds and storms, the rain showers and tempests.

A great silence followed, a look of hopefulness, but alas, still nothing.

A Druidic Rite

Mr Mystery
Bob should return to the earth.

*Burns*
I suggest that the problem lies not with Bobby, but with the shades. If the evil priests and the fires from Way of Cleansing were to leave for some time, it might recover just like that. It would go back to leaning at the wall and watching.

Shemhazaj
In my works as a druid, I have dealt with this ritual.

Zleiphneir
Anyone may lead, and we who wish him healed will follow. Shemhazaj.

Shemhazaj nodded and sats in front of Bob

Shemhazaj
When I came to Loreroot, I met an ascended being. I asked him to teach me nature magic. He said he can introduce me to someone who is Nature. He opened a portal and took me to the World Tree. An ancient tree, his roots reach the center of the earth itself. There I got this small twig. Although cut a year ago, it's still green and alive. Druzik, do you have a knife?

Keida
I have a dagger. Here.

Shemhazaj proceeded to cut the end of the twig and squeeze it till a few white drops fell on his palm. He gave the twig to Keida to hold and then cut his palm and let his blood mix with the World Tree resin.

Shemhazaj
Sasha, can you cut the bark of Bob?

sasha lilias
If it is ok with Zleiph...

Zleiphneir swallowed and nodded slightly, nervously.

Shemhazaj
This won't hurt Bob, I promise... but make it a deep cut.

*Sagewoman* got agitated and her hand automatically went to her sword and rested on the hilt

*Sagewoman*
As a Guardian of Bob, that makes me feel uncomfortable.

Zleiphneir
Me too, Sage.

Keida
I feel the same.

sasha lilias
(whispering) I'm sorry.

And with that, she sliced a chunk of bark from Bob. Shemhazaj began his mantra. He walked over to Bob and placed his hand on the cut. His mantra changed until it became one lasting sound. His skin became pale and dry; he began to shiver. The crowd stared in fear and anticipation, younger ones even whimpering. Some began to join the chant, its hum growing louder and louder. Then for a brief moment all of Shem’s skin appeared to turn to bark and he collapsed on the ground. The cut on Bob disappeared and the druid was drained of all energy from his effort. Some of the crowd ran to help him, transferring their own vitality to him. Still nothing.

A Poem and an Energy

Handy Pockets
Zleiphneir, I have to leave this realm for a while, can I go next?

Zleiphneir
Ailith was going to go next, but the lady has spoken and says you may.

Handy Pocket
It is a simple poem. I wrote it quickly:

One by one, the players arrive
Each with a story of how to survive
Some will try to repeat horrors told
Others will find new ways to be bold
There is Bob, over us he towers
In this half-circle of healing powers
If you want to protect Bob the tree
Use your energy and we shall see

Ailith closed her eyes and focused on her vital energy.

Zleiphneir
alright...ailith...

Ailith shifted slightly as she changed to her natural form. She opened her eyes to look at Zleiphneir.

Ailith
I need you to do something.

Zleiphneir
Anything.

Ailith
My energy is too strong for Bob to receive without a channel. Would you place your hand on him for me?

Zleiphneir put a hand on Bob and looked at Ailith

Ailith
Bob, my old friend, allow me to aid you in the only way I know how.

Blackwood Forest
Don't you burn him, Ailith, by accident. Please take care.

Ailith closed her eyes and raised her hands to Z.
:[Spell] From my heart to the tree through - Zleiphneir Ailith wavered and Zleiphneir’s skin started glowing blue. As Mojomuppet went to steady Ailith, her eyes shot open.

Ailith
Peace be with you, my friend. You have the energy of the Sisters of the Water

Blackwood Forest ensured Zleiphneir did not collapse. Ailith exhaled slowly, and the blue tinge on Zleiphneir’s skin flowed from him into Bob. Zleiphneir shut his eyes tight as he felt quite nauseous, clasping a hand over his mouth to stop from throwing up. All eyes turned to Bob, but, again, nothing.

Anatoli
Nothing seems changed.

Mr Mystery muttered to himself while he left, "Pi...hu....dea..."

Phoenix Tears

Anatoli
Too much energy used on him already. If that didn't work, there might be some other things we should think about. It's not a simple thing; all this magic use may hurt him more. Bob might have some kind of curse on him. His loneliness may be his curse. What about planting some seeds near him?

Zleiphneir
It is not his loneliness. Ledah damaged him, Ledah damaged him and so did Virtuous Pride and... and I was asleep.

Blackwood Forest
Bob grew well here. It was and will be the Path of Loneliness. You don't have to be ashamed Z; you were exhausted from your duty.

*Sagewoman*
You cannot be here 24/7, Zleiphneir. You are not an omnipotent God.

Zleiphneir
I wish I was.

druzik
In the future, I will help as I can. I'll try more than now.

*Mya Celestia*
Shall I try the tears?

Zleiphneir
Yes, Mya, you lead.

*Mya Celestia*
Phoenix tears have healing properties.

Peace
Will it work on Tree though, Mya?

Anatoli
Best cure is time itself.

Ailith
Anatoli, it may not be the cures that do it, but the number of friends trying to help.

*Mya Celestia*
I don't know. I've never tried them on a tree. A tree's blood runs slower than ours.

Blackwood Forest spotted Dst in the crowd and grabbed her.

Blackwood Forest
Quick! Go on, Mya!

*Mya Celestia* walked over to Bob and knelt before him.

bloodelvenwizard
Has any one thought of a way to protect Bob 24/7?

dst
Yes, sure: destroy it. This way he will live forever in your hearts.

*Mya Celestia*
Everybody that considers themselves a friend of Bob take hands.

All Bob’s helpers and friends began to hold hands as Dst tried to trip them up and break their hold. Nonetheless, Mya began opening her bottle of Phoenix tears and Dst tried to push her over, but Zleiphneir got between the two so Mya could concentrate. Suddenly, her wings spread open and started glowing.

*Mya Celestia*
Concentrate on Bob.

The willing crowd obeyed and Mya carefully poured a few drops from the bottle onto the tree then around the roots. She drew the energy from the others then shifted it to Bob :[Spell] The Love of all to heal all She took a deep breath as the glow faded, corking the tiny bottle again and standing once more to lay a hand on Bob.

dst
I hate the tree.

Zleiphneir
I love you, Bob.

*Mya Celestia*
(softly) I'm not sure if it worked.

*Sagewoman*
~Beloved Tree. The one we call Bob. Won't you allow yourself to be healed?~

As Simple as Fertiliser?

dst
He's a friggin' tree! He can't think, feel, or do anything; it just sits there!

Zleiphneir
Nor can you, but you make a lot of noise, at least he's serene.
:[Spell] Bob loves – dst

Peace
Aww...

*Mya Celestia*
Trees can feel. It has been proven.

dst
Ttrees are firewood.

*Mya Celestia*
Plants are sensitive to those around them.

aaront222
You're a bunch of treehuggers

*Mya Celestia* stepped away from Bob, but he is still not moved to healing.

getschi
I've traveled far and wide, and brought my banner to every corner of MD and I think that I have found what this tree needs. You try to heal it with energies, and big words, and good thoughts, when all it needs is medicine. And, in the lands far from here, I have found a fertilizer that is to be used at the end of times. I take it that this time has come for this tree, and therefore, the fertilizer shall find its use now.

getschi stepped up to the tree and poured some fertilizer into his hand to rub on the trunk. He poured some more over the place where the branch was missing and then the rest on the ground. He put the cork back in the bottleneck and then back in his pocket.

getschi
This will save the tree you fancy to call Bob. I shall go back to roaming the lands in search of other miracles.

Zleiphneir
Thank you, Getschi

Sephirah Caelum
Z? Not yet?

getschi
Fare well, crowd, and don't fear for your tree, for he shall be alright.

*Mya Celestia*
Z, perhaps it's the increasing hostility that's keeping Bob from healing.

Zleiphneir
It could very well be, but what am I to do?

Peace
You could isolate the hostility in a dream until we manage to do something. Just throwing that there.

A Guardian Speaks, the Elements Combine

Blackwood Forest stepped forward.

Blackwood Forest
Alright my wooden friend. Once again, I have gathered in my small ebony box the topsoil from all lands and, with your combined willpower, I will seed it with a teardrop and drop of blood of mine onto Bob's roots.

Blackwood cut his finger and dst poked him, trying to make him stop. Druzik grabbed her hands and wrestled with her as Blackwood continued, placing the box before Bob on the ground. He let a drop of blood from his finger fall into the box.

Blackwood Forest
I think of former times.

Blackwood Forest shed a tear, kneeling before the box, arms wide open.

Blackwood Forest
For Cyclicity and Time, Balance and Syntropy, Darkness and Light.  From the soil of Loreroot, the dirt from No Man's Land, dust from Necrovion, mud from the Eastern Lands, clay from the Archives, and sand from Golemus, Eternal powers and gods of the magical dualistic world, purify this resources from all evil.

Dst tried to distract Blackwood once more, but it is too late. He had already gone into a trance and spoke in tongues.

Blackwood Forest
Bob shall be safe.  Bob shall be secure.

Sacrifice

The group looked again to Bob in anticipation, but once again, their efforts were in vain, and so the next candidate stepped forward.

druzik
I’ve only been here for few days, but Bob is giving me reason to live. Most noble thing for me is sacrifice, so I will sacrifice all of my creatures, and I ask you to sacrifice some too. Maybe their vital energy will help

Druzik looks skywards.

druzik
Maybe someone there will see our devotion and will help Bob, too.

Some of the group looked to Z as if to ask whether to follow this man's lead or not. Sacrifice their creatures? Seemed like such a big deal.

Totenkopf laughing I doubt you can please me enough to sac something.

Peace
The Sun is no God, druzik.

Zleiphneir
I will go with you Druzik. I will follow whoever leads and you lead. So lead on.

A small group made a pilgrimage to the nearby Fenth's Press. A number of creatures were slaughtered. In Druzik’s case, all of his creatures, every single one, he gave in hope of helping Bob. The group took their time to harvest and send whatever energy they could before running back in hopes that their sacrifice made a difference.

Peace
Any changes? Did it work?

Sephirah Caelum
Bob, how are you now?

dst
Tree will not be healed.

Zleiphneir
Yes, he will.

dst
You can't be here 24/7.

Zleiphneir
Nor can you.

Peace
There are many guardians, Z. We outnumber them.

Zleiphneir
Peace...

Peace
Had I known this would happen, I would have studied my principles to aid. I offered my army's vitality and it didn't work. The only thing I can do now for Tree is give him my own vitality.

Sephirah Caelum
Hmm. You are dead Peace.

Awiiya
Something is happening.

Zleiphneir
Look! Look!!

Sephirah Caelum
What Awy?

druzik
YAY!

Zleiphneir
Look!

druzik
It worked!!

Zleiphneir
See, dst! I told you. I told you if we cared enough he'd be ok.

A wash of smiles spread over faces, tears and laughter of joy fell and Bob’s guardians lost all sense of reason, hopping about and flipping all over the place.

druzik
Woo hoo!

Nimrodel hugged dst's leg and rubbed her face against it

Mojomuppet
Bob is feeling better!

dst
Tree will NOT bloom!!!

Zleiphneir
Yes, he will.

Nimrodel hugged dst's leg tighter and rubbed her face against it again

Zleiphneir
He's just getting better.

Darigan
Feel the goodness inside you, dst.

Zleiphneir
Stop picking on him you big... clown.

Sephirah Caelum
Little by little.

Darigan
Headless clown.

dst
Big clown?

Sephirah Caelum
She is a pierrot.

dst
I am small and innocent! And yes, I am a pierrot.

Zleiphneir
That's not what your shoes say. Thank you everyone who came to help.

Peace
It is not over, Z.

Remember, we did this. You did this.

Sharpwind
This is a strong tree and it has still a lot to offer.

Mojomuppet
It was a stressful day, but worth it.

dst
I am small and innocent! Check my tag!

Shadowseeker
Perhaps it's better if what I say is in a smaller circle. Everyone here came here with a purpose in mind: Be it to harm the Tree, or to help the Tree. Now, have you ever thought about the implications of this? The will to change itself is a rare thing.

Sephirah Caelum
Losing the balance?

Shadowseeker
Take a few seconds and think about how you'd like to picture Bob. Be it a burned tree stump, be it a blooming tree, be it the tree as it is now. Now, remember it clearly in your mind. And will for the change to happen. Every being in this world has its own place. That place is influenced by the other elements. We are some of it. No matter what kind of change we wish to bring. No matter how we plan to bring the change. The will to change something already leaves a mark. As some are those who wish destruction, some are here who wish for restoration, and some are ignorant to this event. The final result is in favor of the tree, which we currently dedicate us to. In several ways, the many of us, the will to restore, shall prevail.

Suddenly a great cheer erupted from the crowd and Bob’s guardians leap about excitedly again. Bob was blooming for the first time since he'd been hurt so long ago.

Sephirah Caelum
Ahh, is so beautiful seeing him this way. *grins*

Blackwood Forest
Such a long time, my friend.

Ailith
It is good to see Bob bloom again.

Zleiphneir, unable to contain his happiness, runs about like a maniac, only to be tripped up by Shadowseeker.

Seigheart
Whoah.

Anzac
Cheers.

druzik
Wooooooooo!

Shadowseeker
Don't run; get the mead out!

Sharpwind
Beautiful.

Zleiphneir
And the world is right once more.

Shadowseeker got out a small flask and shook a single drop out on his finger.

Shadowseeker
One to honor.

Shadowseeker let it drip to the ground.

Shadowseeker
One to celebrate.

Shadowseeker took a deep swig.