Witching Tree

Date: Autumn 1202

When Stranggore's magic aura decreased from level 4 to level 3, James had offered Argus his help in restoring it. In Autumn 1202, Argus took James up on his offer. There was a particular enchanted elder tree, called the Witching Tree, that grew in the Weld. Argus believed that a branch from that tree could be used in a special and ancient ritual to reinvigorate Stranggore's magical aura.

James and Angus the Dragonslayer traveled to Hampshire in search of the Witching Tree. Along the way, they met an arrogant knight who was defending a bridge and insisted on jousting James, and a hamlet of unfriendly foresters living in the Weld.

In the end, with the help of Stephen, one of Merewen's grandchildren who lived in that hamlet, James found the local folk witch, a woman named Eldrida. She promised to take James to the Witching Tree and let him cut a branch from it, if he could slay the giant who had claimed the area near the Witching Tree as his lair.

James and Angus made short work of the giant, but found the Witching Tree withered and dead. James tried to revive it with his magic, to no avail. He cut a dead branch and brought it back to Stranggore. Argus used it in the ritual, and it worked -- though Argus said the aura's restoration would be only temporary.

This adventure took place within the Royal Forest of Hampshire near the village of Welton.