Cedric the Owl Man (Patreon)

With the sounds of battle behind you, the adrenalin starts to wear off. Most of your party stumble back toward you, you need to find somewhere to hold up lest you lose more. 

A voice from the darkness speaks. "Is that you? High paladin?" 

You wheel around as a shape resolves from between the crooked trees. You look confused for a moment until some form of recognition sparks your memory. 

"Cedric? What in the name of Tyr's hammer happened to you?"

"I'll tell you more inside, it's not safe to be out here... the mistresses creatures are everywhere. Please come in side"

The creature you recognize as your friend's old familiar, now made humanoid? What has been happening  here, you wonder to your self as Cedric pushes through a collection of oversized roots into a well lit stone room. 

"Please have your rest here, we can talk more once you've recovered."