Illuvaen led Kilink through the forest, past the blooms, and into the heart of the half-elven village. The children ran up close, and after being frightened for a moment at Talathel and Darvin ran off to play with the fox pup. A small party walked up close, nodded at Nym and raised their hands in the traditional greeting.
"Welcome heroes from the prophecy." Said a women, clad in a rich green dress interlaced with gold designs, who had stepped out from between them. "The world has awaited your arrival."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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"The world has awaited my arrival?" Druuv asked. "I've been here for a while. How is it the world has been waiting for me? Is it that it was waiting for me to get here? That's quite a big statement, that the world's been waiting for me."
ReplyDelete"Well." The woman said angling her head "not you as individuals, but you as a collective."
ReplyDelete"Ahh. Of course. As a collective." Druuv was, very obviously, just trying to sound smart, and really had very little idea what the woman meant. "So do you have a way for us to defeat the shadowcasters? I don't want to go to that black place again."
ReplyDeleteThere was a sudden hush over the small crowd. "You do not know how to defeat them? The ones of the prophecy are said to posses the ability to cross the world and to dispel darkness."
ReplyDeleteWhat Druuv thought was, "That's odd. I thought you were supposed to be a seer and were supposed to be able to tell us what lay in store for us." What she said was, "Maybe we have the ability and don't know it yet? Or maybe one of them does..." She turned and looked at the rest of the group. "Anyone have any abilities you haven't told me about yet that let you 'cross the world and dispel darkness'?"
ReplyDeleteAt this point Darvin piped in, "Um, no, I don't know how to defeat them. I, quite frankly, am still not entirely sure where we are. All I know is that I fell asleep and woke up in this world. I also know that your big purple worms bite rather hard." Guybrush jumped up on his shoulder and said, "Perhaps we could try voodoo rootbeer?"
ReplyDeleteTalathel thought about it for a bit. "Perhaps our ability is to simply not be afraid of the shadowcasters. Nym and Druuv were able to will away one of their attacks. Perhaps our ability is not physical, but mental?"
ReplyDeleteAfter returning the queen's greeting, Nym quietly listened to the others. She was not aware they had thought she was a savior of any sort when she'd been to the village the first time. At Talathel's mention of the shadowcaster attack on Druuv, Nym was impressed by the elf's logic. Perhaps that idea has some merit, she thought.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen nodded. "I am impressed with that thought. This world is trained to be frightened of them, with good reason, but perhaps by being heroes from another world you are more resistant to the fear that fills our world." She took a bag and poured bones into her hand. "I will help as I can, and I shall answer as I am able. However, do make your questions worthwhile as I can only answer a few questions."
ReplyDelete"That said, if we can avoid a direct confrontation with them, I think that would be preferred."
ReplyDelete"Well, that is an understandable desire. I certainly wish no harm to come to you." Illuvaen said from beside Kilink. "I am certain that I can help to find a way in to defeat them and return you to your home world."
ReplyDelete"I don't like fighting..." Druuv said, quietly.
ReplyDelete"Well, I am certain that there is another way to find home than fighting." One of the elves said from behind the Queen. "Though it certainly is odd to hear a goblin say that she dislikes fighting."
ReplyDelete"What do you think needs asking?" said Nym, hoping the Queen had some ideas of what they needed to know.
ReplyDelete"Well, that depends on what you intend to do." The queen said kneeling on the ground. "Do you wish to help us by destroying the threat of the shadowcasters, or are you more interested in going home?"
ReplyDelete"What is THAT supposed to mean, HALF-ELF!?!" Druuv exclaimed in response to the person behind the queen. She pulled her pick axe out and waved it menacingly in his direction.
ReplyDeleteSilence followed Druuv's exclamation. The Queen, who had been kneeling, stood up and looked quite unnerved. "We had hoped not to get into blood feuds, but we certainly were not the ones to start the fifty year war of H'gorth." She said forcefully, but still quietly, "half-elves were not the ones who slaughtered the mountain camps!" She said just a bit more forcefully "and we were not the ones who gave the Shadowcasters the materials to build the dreamgates! Your species has had an unfortunate habit of being filled with warlust. However, we were hoping not to judge you according to your species." She said glaring at the elf behind her. "So let us drop this matter at once and get back to the important matter at hand."
ReplyDeleteNym looked pointedly at Druuv, clearly annoyed. "Do you always threaten people who welcome you into their homes and offer you help before you can request it?" she asked, frowning darkly at the goblin.
ReplyDelete"I wouldn't say they've been especially welcoming, with all of their awful comments about my people! It's not like they are completely without blame!" Druuv turned back toward the elf that had called out before. "At least we only provided some of the materials, shadowlovers." She sneered, but put away her pick axe.
ReplyDeleteTalathel took a deep breath. "Druuv, please relax. Whatever grudges that are bared between your races should not be brought up now. Let us work together. These half-elves are our best chance of making it back to our realm."
ReplyDeleteTalathel looked down. "Sorry, father. I defended half-elves." he thought to himself.
"I'll back down. But I don't want to hear any more slights against my people." Druuv said, fiercely, staring down anyone who would look down at her, before directing her attention back to the seer. "Are there any nonviolent ways you know of to end the threat of the shadowcasters?"
ReplyDeleteNym crossed her arms and stared hard back at Druuv, not at all pleased with her behavior or excuse. "You mean the 'slight' of being pleasantly surprised you didn't want to fight? I would have taken that as a compliment, but you've done an excellent job proving him entirely wrong by immediately threatening him." Now for the first time concerned to be traveling with a goblin, Nym too turned back to the seer Queen. She bowed deeply saying, "I am sorry for any offense to you by those I have brought into your home. It will not happen again." When the Queen nodded in acknowledgment, Nym continued, "Before we decide what questions we should ask you, could you tell us the prophecy in which we are the heroes?"
ReplyDelete"Wait a second here! Nym, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, and I deserve more respect than that for getting you all to the village, letting you save Darvin's life after that worm attacked us. I already said that I was willing to let the dried blood lie and not pick at it, but I will not stand for the maligning of my people." Druuv took a deep breath, and turned back to the seer.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the conversation the seer and her party looked shocked. Illuvaen on the other hand looked quite ready to laugh. Finally, he raised his hand. "Etheria, my sitar." A woman from high in he forest dropped down a sitar. Illuvaen, looking nonchalant, reached out his and and caught it the neck and slung it under his body. After strumming a few chords he began to sing in a lyrical baritone.
ReplyDeleteLong ago, the legend tell
when the land was new
two races made a simple mistake
and have caused all this ill
The forest elves their trust mislaid
the noble goblins too!
in their blind misplaced faith
they gave the dark ones help and aid
The goblins minded through the day
gave the dark ones material
the elves with their star knowledge
helped the dark ones find the way
Now, neither of can claim innocence
though both might surely try
let us put aside our anger
for we are not that dense.
Illuvaen finished up by playing a few idle chords, and smiled at Nym. "I am sorry it is so rough, I had to make it up on the spot. As for non-violent ways... destroying their crystal could do the job. However, the difficulty there is getting inside."
Nym laughed and smiled at Illuvaen, "It's too bad I don't have my lyre; I could have joined in!"
ReplyDeleteAs Illuvaen played, Druuv visibly relaxed, and applauded with gusto when he finished. "Where do they keep the crystal?" She asked.
ReplyDelete"No one really knows. The only ones who go inside their tower are new recruits or their monk allies... or people who are never seen again."
ReplyDeleteWhile the Queen answered Druuv's question, Illuvaen stepped over and whispered to Nym.
ReplyDelete"I didn't know you played... perhaps we shall have a chance to make some music together later. I am sure we could track down a lyre."
"Hmmm. Knowing is half the battle," Druuv said. "Well, I have seen others make invisibility dust that would allow someone to sneak up to the tower and investigate, but I would need someone's help to make it myself, because I can't cast any spells to create invisibility," Druuv said, tapping her lower lip in thought. "I could help to see invisible creatures." She said, brightening. "That's not especially useful here, though... Anyone else have any ideas how we could gather more information on the shadowcasters' tower?"
ReplyDelete"Being invisible might not get you very far. Many of the shadowcasters can see through such illusions. It would be best if you had could imitate their allies in order to obtain entrance." The Queen said thoughtfully.
ReplyDelete"We may be able to imitate to get in. How do we go about getting a disguise?"
ReplyDelete"Well, in the usual manner I guess." Illuvaen said. "Depends on which ally you want to mimic."
ReplyDelete"I think mimicking the monks is best. That way, if you don't know you're way around, you won't be suspicious!" Druuv contributed.
ReplyDelete"Who exactly are the monks? What do they do?"
ReplyDeleteDarvin had been observing the interactions with great interest. Druuv getting into a tiff with the hosts had provided some excitement, Illuvean playing his snooty guitar had annoyed him and all this talk about how to deal with the shadowcasters was starting to tire him.
ReplyDelete"Honestly, I just want to get back to where we came from. So, if we have to fight them to do that, then let's fight. If we have to pretend to be monks then let's be monks. We just need to decide on something and act. Are these Shadowcasters impervious to cannon fire? We could just knock down their tower." Darvin had gone a mini-rant but he hoped he had gotten his point across.
"Your brashness is certainly admirable. However, I fail to see where you would find this "cannon" of which you speak and how you would knock down a hundred story tower with it." The Queen said, her eyebrows arched and a slight tone of mirth. "But yes, I suppose direct assault is one avenue of approach. Of course, that is for you to decide. It is clear that your group has to make some decisions. I will help as I am able once you have decided on your course of action. We have made a set of rooms for you. Illuvaen, please show them to them." Illuvaen led them away, up a flight of stairs and into an airy room.
ReplyDelete"I will be outside if you have any questions." He said shutting the door behind him. On the table were several wooden vessels and assorted fruits.
As door the closed behind them, Darvin said to no one in particular, "How can this dimension not have bloody cannons?"
ReplyDeleteErin is rather busy this week with finals, but I am giving y'all until Thursday to decide what you want to do. Otherwise I am sure something will happen. However, I suspect that what you decide to do will be much better than what I will have happen.
ReplyDeleteTalathel picked up a piece of fruit and held it in his hand. "I think it would be best to do this operation fairly low-key. If we must fight, I think we are capable. But, we will should try to gain their trust disguised as allies and learn what we can about the Dreamgate."
ReplyDeleteHe took a bite of the fruit.
"Besides, Darvin, if the shadowcasters have a gate back to our realm, it wouldn't really be wise to destroy their tower, even if we had the means, now would it?"
I want to find out if my idea of looking like monks and infiltrating the tower has any merit. :)
ReplyDelete"Talathel, you wouldn't even have to do much to pass as one of the monks here.
ReplyDeleteThey wear long flowing robes with white leggings and shirts, and brown cloaks. They have marks on their shoulders that match their belts and show rank.
The monks come from a group called something like the aged clan or something, and have some mystical beliefs about their leader who wasn't really their leader. It's really confusing. But anyway, all you have to do is walk around acting pompous and in charge, and you should fit right in.
What do you say? PLEASE try it?" Druuv said.
"I think I can handle it," Talathel said with a wink. "Let's get started."
ReplyDeleteGreat. To speed this up I just need the following information:
ReplyDeleteWhere are you planning on getting the outfits.
Once you have the outfit what are you planning on going?
Is there anything you need from the elves?
I plan on skipping ahead several days once I receive this info.
I think it would be realistic that our half-elf friends could supply such an outfit. I think then we would go over some sort of strategy. I'd learn enough about the monks to be able to pass as one. Why would a monk be visiting the tower? What do I need to say to find stuff out? After that, its off to the tower. Might as well get this done right away, right?
ReplyDeleteQuick blurb between finals. We should ask if the monks or shadowcasters take slaves/workers. Then our monk could get all of us in without suspicion to destroy their crystal and use their dreamgate.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the half-elves do not have anything that would work for the outfit they do not know the markings all that well. Their clothing is far too naturalistic and earthy and another reason is that the markings are of central importantance. The elves do tell you that the northern town has several ex-monks in hiding that you might be able to get a legitimate outfit from, and information. Illuvaen will accompany you and help you contact them - he has met them before.
ReplyDeleteThe elves do not know why the monks visit the tower, but they do give you the location and the main routes to the tower.
Workers are used, but naturally they are provided by the monks. So, it appears that would be a good route to take.
If you have all the information you want we will skip two days forward and I will drop off the group in the northern town.
I think heading to the northern town to talk to the monks and try to get outfits and information is the best route to take for the main group. Could I head over to the goblins by myself and try to gather information and meet up with everyone else later?
ReplyDeleteyes.
ReplyDelete