The Final Stage

After a few days Talathel decided he was comfortable enough in pretending to be a monk. After all, he had been pretending to be a monk for quite some time. He took  Kilink left the city early in the morning and Illuvaen led them over the forest paths for several days until they finally found themselves in the valley that led to the foot of the tower. Dohn had recommended simply walking inside with confidence and working out the plan from there - security was tight, but only on the outside. At that point Talathel put on the monk garments and led the group down the path. They were stopped quite quickly by a woman wearing a dark cloak.

"Where are you going?"

"Prisoners for an experiment revered one."

"Whose orders?"

"Vergon's." He said stepping closer. As they talked privately the rest of the group felt anxious, but finally she waived them on through. After another half hour of travel they were ushered through the archway that led into the tower and heard the doors shut behind them with a threatening clang.

Wandering Soul, from the Vantage point of Illuvane

Illuvaen was out of sorts. While the last few days had been going quite swimmingly, the news about his mother and the village had certainly changed that. As a result, he decided to go see if one of his old college friends was around. Picking up his pace he sped down the streets, through alleys and up staircases until he came to her door.
He brushed down his coat, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. There was a short sound of shuffling before the door opened.
"Well, well, well... if it isn't the heir to the throne!"
"Hello Yissrada." Illuvaen responded smiling. She was as beautiful. Her eyes seemed even more bright than the last time she saw her and she certainly had a gravitas that was lacking before. "Sadly, that title will follow me forever."
"Not forever, just until you take over and then you will be King. Do come in." She led him inside, sat him down, and returned in a second with two large glasses.
"Now, I suspect you are here for two things. The second thing I have no problems with, but the first is the one that I am concerned about."
Illuvaen swallowed. "Yes... well, the first thing is that my mother has been abducted by the Shadowcasters."
"Oh... well, I thought it was a girl problem." She took a sip from her drink, but kept her large brown eyes on him.
"That is thing one and a half." He took a sip as well.
 "Oh, Illuvaen. When are you going to just propose to me." She said laughing.
"Well, I tried, remember?"
"Oh, right." She looked off in thought. "Whatever was I thinking?" She took another sip. "I might answer differently next time."
"I will keep that in mind... if things don't turn out well here soon I might just need an easy queen."
"That wasn't nice... anyway, I am sorry about your mother... are you going to rescue her?"
"Oddly, enough I was on my way there with a group already."
"How convenient."
"Oddly so..."
"Well, I am certainly you will rescued her without too much difficulty. Is she still sleeping around?"
Illuvaen blushed, certain that he did not want to talk about this. "Maybe."
Yissandra just smiled knowingly. "Now, about the girl..."
"Well, she isn't from this world, can't remain, and is interested in another guy."
"Ah, now I see why you came to me. Decided to give up?"
"Well, you know I have a habit of falling for women that will either reject me or can't be with me."
"So you wanted to return to a scene of the crime?"
"Naturally."
"Well, you should know that I am always ready for new crimes." She crossed her legs and let her dress slide up slightly.
"I suspected that..." he said sliding on close to her. She leaned over and kissed him, moving her arms down his side.
"Now, are you the royalty tonight, or am I?" She whispered into his ear.

If Druuv kept following him than she is probably in the building right now

Wandering Souls

Haven't had time for the rest of Druuv's Wild Ride yet. Hope you don't mind me meeting up with everyone else again as I continue to work on it.

As Druuv arrives in the Northern town that evening, she thinks she sees Illuvaen meandering aimlessly, as if in a daze. Perception Roll #1. (He's pretty preoccupied, so I hope my 9 works for that. Let me know if that isn't good enough. Seeing him in such a state, she decides to follow him, not trying especially hard to remain hidden. Survival Roll #1. If he sees her, she will talk to him. Otherwise, she'll try to figure out why he's so out of it.

Perception #1: Roll(1d20)+0:

9,+0

Total:9

Survival: Roll(1d20)+0:

9,+0

Total:9

A growing fantasy. Or what I do people who don't post often enough. Darvin is next.

Several minutes after llluvaen left the apartment.
"So... are you guys into group fun?" Dohn asked Kilink.
"What are you talking about?" Nym asked innocently.
"I love group sex." Darvin answed7 "Talathel and I have been known to play around sometimes."
"Oh yes, we had some great fun back in Seacomber. Long nights... arms entwined. Very sweaty."
"Wait..." Nym responded confused. "You two had sex?"
"All the time." Darvin responded  a matter of fact tone.
"Naturally I am the top. True elves have two penises."
"That is kinda creepy."
"You haven't seen it yet." Talathel whipped down his pants and two penises sprung out already hard.
"Oh, my." Nym responded breathless. "very impressive." She started walking closer.

Before she could do anything Talathel shook his head and got rid of the growing fantasy.
"I need to get laid."
"What?" Dohn asked.
"Nothing." Talathel responded quickly.

Trials and Tribulations

Ok, to speed this up I am just going to let you know Dohn told you:


He can train Talathel so that he can pretend to be a monk and sneak inside. He also has the proper robes that won't cause any suspicion.


The dream gate is near the top, and is only a few floors above the crystal that both the elves and him have requested you destroy.

Be extremely careful and keep your wits about you. The tower is essentially a training ground for illusions so it is easy to lose your head. 

He drew up a general map (that is forthcoming) with the routes that are most likely the safest. Of course, his information is a tad old so he apologizes for that.


Try to avoid combat with the shadowcasters - they have mostly been sending out novices to attack you in the last few incidents. 


He has no idea who brought you to this world or why. Maybe that will be answered in the tower? (he then ate a donut).


There is no quick route to get there - it will take about a week overland (I shall skip over most of the boring events for you whenever you are ready.


Do let me know if there is any other information he could possibly provide.


It will take several days for Dohn to give all the training and information neccessary as well as to procure the proper forms and clothing and as such you are forced to enjoy the lovely city. On the second day a messenger arrived from the elven kingdom and told Illuvaen that someone has snatched the queen away. Illuvaen looked at his old friend in a dark and somber mood.
"It looks like the work of the Shadowcasters." Faelith said.
"Well, certainly odd that we are planning on going to their lair anyway." he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Almost too suspicious."
"The council is demanding that you return and take over leadership of the village." Faelith said urgently.
"No, I must see this task finished first. Tell them I hope to return with my mother." Faelith bowed and dashed out of the room.
"It is eerie how everything is coming to a head and all seemingly pointing to this tower." He paused "Where is that goblin anyway? In any case I suspect she will turn up when most needed. I am going to go out for a bit... I need to clear my head." He nodded politely to Darvin and Nym, as well as Pipper and Guybrush before stepping out of the door.

Elsewhere

"They defeated both of our agents."
"Ah, yes, I did observe that."
"What are your orders."
"Unleash the Kraken!" 
There was an awkward pause.
"What?"
"Nevermind. I just felt like saying that." The voice stopped. "Do we know where they are going?"
"It appears that they are traveling with the Elven prince."
"Oh. Now that is good news."
"They also met someone in the city."
"Interesting." He paused again. "Well, we shall wait and watch and try to keep track of them. Why don't you contact our spy and see what they can do. In the meanwhile why don't you send someone down to see if they can't upset the delicate balance that is the half-elf kingdom."
"Of course."
"Also, tell the monks that they might have visitors."

Druuv's Wild Ride, Part 1

Druuv went to bed rather early after all the excitement of the day and the tire of traveling, but as soon as she lay down, her mind began racing with thoughts and ideas and questions. I know generally where to go to meet my friends, but what if I can't find them. What if they are somewhere else by the time I get there? What will I do if they have found another friend and don't need me anymore? Now you're just being silly, Druuv. Stop it! She hushed herself, and took several deep breaths as she tried to find a bit of peace and still her racing mind.

As she lay in bed, she began heard the sounds of other goblins chatting, arguing, and here and there, the punctuations of shrill pleasure. After a time of listening to the abundance of activity throughout the caves, she heard a pitter patter of feet arriving at her doorway. All the alcoves where the goblins slept were open to the corridor, so it was not unusual to hear the padding of feet in the hallway as you lay in bed. This time, though, the feet slowed and stopped at the entrance to Druuv's chambers.

"Syllveste, is that you?" Druuv whispered.

A pleasant gurgling answered her. "Yes, parakeet. I thought I would welcome you back." And the padding of feet quickly made their way to Druuv's bed.

The alcove each goblin was alloted was large enough to fit a bed, a small chair, and a chest in, and shelves could be carved into the walls to store any other items a goblin could acquire. However, goblins have very good low light vision, and the little bit of light from the larger rooms like where Druuv had met the elders were all that lit the long lines of alcoves along the hallways where they were placed. Each goblin was assigned an alcove at birth, and kept it until death. When two goblins were betrothed, they kept their separate alcoves, and visited each others alcoves often. Children were likewise shared. The community was very open, and everyone could hear everything going on in the alcoves in their hallways, but at the same time, every goblin had a small bit of their own space, which was respected as their own.

Syllveste stopped at the foot of Druuv's bed, and Druuv felt a hand gently land on her foot. The fingers toyed with her toes, and began gently kneading each individual toe, ligament and tendon in Druuv's foot. The feminine hands worked Druuv's tired feet slowly and methodically, relieving her of stress she didn't know she had been holding until just then. "Oh, Syllveste. That feels so..." She sighed. "You always know just how to touch me." The two had long been lovers, and though they occasionally shared their bed with others, they generally kept their lovemaking monogamous, like most of the goblin colony.

In goblin culture, bisexuality is the predominant sexual orientation. Heterosexuality and homosexuality are also common, but most goblins are not especially picky about finding a lover. The fact that Druuv and Syllveste have been together for so long indicated that they were especially fond of each other, but neither expected the other to be abstinent while they were away. The relationship was a mutually inclusive desire to satisfy each other's cravings.

Syllveste's hands moved to Druuv's ankles, and continued their systematic climb up Druuv's legs. As they reached Druuv's calves, she let out a small sigh of pleasure. "Ahhh."

Syllveste smiled, stopping the massage and leaning forward toward Druuv, grabbing an arm to pull it toward her and kiss Druuv's freshly cleaned fingers, giving a playful bite to the middle finger.

Druuv took this opportunity to quickly hop out of bed and slide behind her bedmate, gently brushing her front along Syllveste's side and back as she did. Her nightclothes provided very little cover for her small breasts, and her tiny nipples, which were beginning to firm up very quickly with Syllveste's teasing. Druuv was becoming quite aroused, at this point.

Druuv returned the favor, gently running her hands up Syllveste's sides and stomach, firmly pressing against Syllveste as she ran her hands up over Syllveste's own pert breasts and down her arms, scratching tenderly down Syllveste's arms, until she ended at Syllveste's hands, which she held, and guided back into a hug wrapping the woman she had missed holding so much. Syllveste did not resist, and her own scant clothing provided very little resistance to Druuv's ministrations. Syllveste must have been aroused and horny, to move this quickly.

Druuv playfully bit Syllveste's neck, needing to reach up slightly to do so as Syllveste was slightly taller than she was. Druuv unwrapped her right arm from around Syllveste's stomach, and brought it back behind Syllveste's back, which she pressed, gently forcing Syllveste to the bed.

Syllveste let Druuv walk her to the bed, and laid down on her stomache, letting Druuv take control. Druuv took full advantage, pressing Syllveste face down, straddling her torso, and massaging her shoulders with the base of her green-skinned palms, pressing hard into the muscle above Syllveste's collar bones, both hands on the right side, working in smaller, gradually growing circles, until the entire right side of Syllveste's shoulder was being rubbed with each pass. Slowly, Druuv let her circles get smaller until they were again only the size of her two hands.

Druuv leaned close as she switched sides. "I've missed you, bluebird," she whispered, nosing Syllveste's ear as she began the same circular motions on the left side. As she worked on the left side, she began using her right hand to quickly jump to another part of Syllveste's body and stroke her side, and neck, and arms, making each sudden change an affectionate reminder that Druuv was still very aroused and that she would not be spending the entire evening getting a simple shoulder massage.

Suddenly, when Druuv got to the largest part of the circles on Syllveste's shoulders, she moved to the center of the back, and ripped Syllveste's shirt off of her back, leaving her exposed and helpless to Druuv's ministrations. Syllveste's small cry of shock was exactly what Druuv had been hoping for. "Did I scare you, my sweet little bird?" Druuv asked quietly in Syllveste's ear. "I think I'll need to make sure that your wings are clipped."

Grabbing Syllveste's wrists together behind her back, Druuv spoke three simple words, "Tie these hands," and the rope she kept in her pack made quick work of Syllveste's hands. Soon her arms were wrapped tightly at the wrist. Druuv flipped her over onto her back. "Now it's time to have a bit of fun."

Druuv's Arousal Check: Diplomacy check: Roll(1d20)+2:
20,+2
Total:22

Opposed Will Check: Roll(1d20)+4:
2,+4
Total:6 (versus 22) FAIL - Druuv is aroused.

Dohn's Apartment

Dohn led them to his apartment and refused to answer any questions until the morning.

"The night is their realm, we will be somewhat safer in the morning." He led them to a guest bedroom where Darvin managed to snag the bed and leave Talathel on the small cot.

In the morning Darvin and Talathel woke to the smell of bacon, sausage and eggs drifting through the door. As they left their room they saw Dohn wearing a large apron and cooking up a variety of meat products. Seeing them he smiled.
"Fat, salt, and meat are the essential elements of anyones diet! There are also some fresh pastries if you like." He said pointing at a large pile of various pastries. "There is also some fresh juice if you want to make mimosas (he used another word but I will translate it as a mimosa)."

Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow or من الحبة تنشأ الشجرة

The destroyed dessert stand grew hazy in front of Nym's eyes. Now that the naga was dead, Nym realized what bad shape she was in from the fight. She looked at her hand, which was covered with blood. Is this mine? It must be, she thought. Nym knew she'd been poisoned by the naga.
"You alright Nym?" she heard Illuvaen ask.

"Sure..." Nym replied as she felt herself falling. Where's Pipper?? Nym thought frantically as her world swirled away into darkness.

~~~

Nym was on break from the Lady's College in Siverymoon for the winter solstice. The snow was heavy in the High Forest this year, and the going was slow because of it. She'd stopped by home before setting out toward the Grandfather Oak, though that wasn't her final destination. She'd been traveling for a little over two days now and Nym was enjoying the crisp morning air.

Nym chewed on a bit of mint her father had packed for her and sucked cold air between her teeth. She giggled, enjoying the tingling sensation this caused. The stream she had been following veered to the left and Nym followed a path only visible to her to the right.

After another couple hours, the trees became noticeably larger and oaks were more common. There was less undergrowth for Nym to fight through. There was a light mist swirling among the trees, disturbed only occasionally by a fluttering bird. The air was a bit warmer in this part of the forest, likely because the tree branches overhead were quite dense and seemed to trap the warmth of the earth below.

Nym pulled off her hat and called out, "Grandmother?" A squirrel eating a nut stopped to look at her. Nym giggled at it. She knew she was still rather far away from her grandmother's oak, but she thought she'd give it a try. She continued walking.

Feeling impatient, Nym began to sing a love song she'd heard in Silverymoon:

Come to me, she's calling you

Come to me, come to me
Come to me, I'll break your heart
Come to me, come to me

Like a siren to the sailor moribund
Her song of love will drag you ever down
Her kiss will take you to a fabled sacred land
Her lips will break you and lead you to the dance

Come to me, she's calling you
Come to me, come to me

Nym continued to hum as she walked along toward her grandmother's tree.

"Daughter's daughter, I am pleased to see you," said a voice that sounded like the wind in the leaves.

A large oak stood before Nym, and she smiled running toward it with arms outstreached. "Grandmother!" exclaimed Nym.

An elven-looking woman melted out of the tree to embrace Nym. "By my bark, you've grown taller once again, child," said the woman holding Nym at arm length. Her skin was rough like the tree she'd emerged from and her hair appeared to be made of autumn leaves. A dryad.

Nym chatted with her grandmother all afternoon. She'd brought the dryad a basket filled with dried seeds to plant come summer. Her grandmother was pleased.

Nym couldn't remember the first time she'd met the 400-year-old dryad. Her father had presented Nym to her mother's mother only weeks after her mother abandoned Ollin and her infant girl. The woman was ecstatic to meet her prodigy and gifted Ollin the acorn from which Nym's oak blossomed. She was not physically attached to her tree as her grandmother was, but Nym felt connected to her home through the tree and her life was connected to the tree in many ways. When Nym was ill, so was the tree, and vice versa. Nym's oak was how Ollin knew she had not died on her journey to Thay; it's life meant Nym too lived.

Nym hummed as she danced through the forest back home. Although she had never known her mother, Nym's grandmother had always been a comfort to her.

~~~

Nym felt like she was swimming in a black void. Am I dead? she wondered. Her thoughts were scattered at the moment, but she felt herself waking. Alright, not dead, probably unconcous... what happened? Nym wondered, trying to remember. She opened her eyes to see a white fox face in her own. "Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised to see Pipper up close and personal. "MAMA!" cried Pipper as he began licking her face.

"Glad to see you're awake. I was worried!" said someone to Nym's right. Darvin? she wondered as she sat up. Illuvaen was smiling at her standing in the doorway holding a bowl of water. He still looked rather scorched from their encounter with the naga. Nym smiled back and sat up, which made her realize she was feeling quite ill. "Washroom?" she asked urgently. Illuvaen pointed to it and Nym stumbled in to vomit.

Shadowcaster Battle

Darvin struggled out of the doorway in the mood to punch that slippery Illuvaen in his face. The street was empty of people and the cobblestones had been replaced by neatly arranged tiles. Illuvaen and Nym stood fifteen feet from him kissing, Illuvaen's arms down her side and her hands running up his back. Before he had a chance to do or say anything Illuvaen turned to him and thrust his hand outward. A large green glow erupted and hit him square in the chest.

Shadow Blast:
Roll 1d20
Roll(1d20)+8:
15,+8
Total:23

Damage:
Roll(2d8)+2:
7,4,+2
Total:13

This is psychic damage, which I am saying is the same as your HP, but when you hit 0 instead of dying you are put into a hypnotized dazed state. 

Please roll initiative. Talathel can join in this time as well if he likes, Dohn Aesmi will as well.

Brief Interlude

"Well, that is plausible, but really who else could it be?" Beranhond said sitting back on the small bed
"Where did you find this room?" She walked across the room carefully. "It is... unique."

"Oh, my gardener friend offered it to me. He said no one had slept in here for quite some time. There isn't much of a chance to get back to the ship right now considering all the people trying to leave the city." 

She sat down next to him on the bed and took his hand. "I checked on your friends for you."

"How are they holding up?" Beranhond said as he turned to Narath and gave her a weak smile.

"They are healthy in their current plane. Nym seemed to have been out on a date. Their bodies are losing weight - the crew is trying to keep them nourished as best they can, but it is difficult to maintain body mass"

A date? How extraordinary. Beranhond thought. "I will have to make it back soon." He said leaning back on the bed and spreading his arms. "I never expected to get wrapped up in all of this." 
"Well, what did you expect?" Narath said leaning back as well. Beranhond lightly put his hand on he shoulders. 

"I.... thought I would become a Paladin of Torm and spend my days hating myself. I didn't think I would sail across the world, get caught up with a random group of people and talking "

"Oh, now that sounds pleasant." She said turning towards him and raising herself up on an elbow. "I am certainly glad you didn't! Besides, you and Cerith would never have worked out."
"You are right about that." Beranhond was still curious about what Cerith was up to. He had asked around her several times but no one had seen her recently and she was still "on patrols."

"Besides, if you hadn't had doubts about Torm I wouldn't be here either."

"Well, you could have found someone else - another prophet."

"No. Another another proto-God would have risen instead." She said in a calm voice.

"Another one? How many are there?"

"Beyond counting. Most spend the infinity as no more than a fragment of a thought inside the head of a dreamer."

Beranhond smiled weakly and decided it was time to change the subject. "So, without me you would be nothing."
"Yes, but that is true of any God. Without believers a God has nothing." She reached out and stroked his hair back. "But, enough of tiresome theology. You have to get some sleep. I shall stay with you to make sure that you aren't taken as well." 
"Yes... you are certainly right about that." Beranhond said yawning. He went to a small basin and scrubbed his teeth, removed his boots and robe and climbed into bed. Tigrisclawu gave him an annoyed look before setting off to hunt rats.
"Sleep well my prophet." Narath said before she climbed into the bed, kissed his forehead and shut his eyelids.

Homecoming: It Only Comes Once a Season

As Druuv walked, she noticed the large variety of rocks and ore that littered the ground around the area she had just arrived at. There was no trail, of course, for trails only allowed others to find the things that you held near and dear to your heart. Nonetheless, Druuv knew the general direction to travel, and started picking her way by familiar landmarks back to the place she and her clan called home.

She started walking uphill, and as she came out of the large circle of boulders she had started from, she saw the familiar double face of In Knee and Out Tee on a rock abutment to her left.

Druuv followed this rock abutment until it fell off, leaving a chasm on her left, and a steep incline next to a rock wall on her right. She continued, cutting through a small hole in the rock to come out on a rather large, open plateau, with the hole she came up through the only visible entrance or exit from the flat expanse. Not deterred, Druuv found the small "tree" of rock she knew as the landmark from which to travel to the next part of the journey.

Behind this "tree", there was a sheer cliff, but by standing on the left side of the tree and diving off the precipice, Druuv found herself rolling along the bottom of a rocky crevasse. This section of the trip was a bit more tricky, and only after traveling back and forth between the formations called "the stairs" and "Snuffluffagus the Third".

She spent roughly an hour grabbing small pebbles at each location and dropping them in a small pile at the base of the incline to the other, was she able to build up a pile at each that she deemed big enough, and she tried to walk through the rock under "Snuffluffagus the Third". Unfortunately, she had judged incorrectly, and walked face first into the rock, cutting her forehead a bit on a sharp rock she expected to give way on contact. After this abrupt realization that she had not prepared properly, she spent another half an hour increasing the size of the piles until each pile of stones could easily fill both of her shoes. This time she was a bit more cautious as she gingerly felt with her hands to see if the rock would remain solid as she contacted it. Feeling it becoming soft and squishy, she continued to walk, soon finding herself on a rocky mountainside complete with trees, moss, and fire beetles.

Here, she looked around until she saw the rockpile she'd left the last time, walked up to it, and wrote, "Druuv is my best friend," on the stone in opaque, furry looking letters. Then, she walked on past the stones and to the ladder down into the goblin clans' main living area. Ahh, home at last, she thought.

War and Women drive Men to Drink

Darvin headed to the first intersection he could find and turned left. He checked to make sure his companions were following him, which of course, they were. Guybrush was loyal and would always follow his Captain, while Talathel would always follow the rum. They passed a few pubs, but none of them had struck anyone's fancy. The one with the sign of the barmaid bent over the bar, dress flung over her head with a big rough looking soldier behind her looked especially disreputable. Darvin finally picked one called the Cask and Stag, the sign had a picture of a stag standing on a cask, and he walked in.

The bar was full of people and creatures from around the city and surrounding areas, or so the three companions assumed. There was a band playing music in the far corner and lively conversation was being had by the patrons. Behind the bar was the largest assortment of bottles that Darvin and Talathel had ever seen. Talathel's eyes lit up, Darvin just wanted to get drunk. Guybrush started jumping and pointing, Darvin looked at what he was pointing at, it appeared to be banana flavored rum, "Well, would you look at that? I wonder how they squeezed the flavoring out of those bananas." Darvin said to his friends. They walked up to the bar to order drinks. The bartender was a half-man half-stag creature but he looked friendly enough. "What kin I git fer ya fellers?" the Stagman asked.

"Me and the elf will have the finest rum you got. And the monkey will have that banana flavored concoction over there...in the smallest glass you have." The bartender poured the drinks and the three friends sat down. Darvin downed his drink as soon as he got it. It burned on the way down, but he could feel the stress of the trip starting to lift away.

"Hey barkeep! Keep 'em comin'!" Darvin instructed their new friend behind the bar. As the night wore on and the three friends continued to imbibe more and more liquor, Darvin finally started to reveal what was bothering him.

"...I know he seems nice enough *hic* but I just don't trust him. But the truth is *hic*, I am dumb and in love, and I don't know what to do about it." Darvin looked at his best friend and monkey expectantly. Talathel was the obvious person to respond, he had experience in the art of romance with Lailsan, he, however, just shrugged. It was Guybrush who spoke, "Captain, you just need to love the lass back. She nursed you back to health and planted a kiss on you that could have conquered the black heart o' the nastiest pirate, but since then you have been a moody and ornery fellow, who, quite frankly, hasn't been much fun to be around." Guybrush picked up his mug and took a drink. Darvin stared at the monkey. He didn't say anything and let the words sink in. The monkey was right...

"Hey barkeep *hic*, do you know where we could find a fellow by the name of Dohn Aeskme?"

Caveat Emptor

Illuvaen and Nym walked down the curved streets towards the market in Flaxen Hair Square. The buildings were large, some covered with vines, some with trees, others seemed to look like living creatures. The cobblestones changed colors and played soft notes.
"Dohn Aeskmi used to be high in the order... but he had some problems as the orders from the leader became more and more amoral. He then faked his death and fled from the Monastery." He smiled at her as they turned down the street into a large square filled with tents, leaves, trees and multicolored banners. Some of the carts floated above the square along with several large balloons.

"As for Darvin... I suspect he just feels out of place, disjointed, and is having a hard time adapting. Maybe he feels threatened."

Druuv's Homecoming

As Druuv dives into the water she feels a bit of the usual chill before falling onto the rough earth of the mountains. As she looks around she can't help but smile and knows that she is only a few hours away from her mountain home. She tightens her backpack and starts to walk up the path.

add what detail about the walk you want, I will post again this evening with the Goblin encounter

Up, Up, and Away!

The half-elves spent the rest of the day telling you of what they know of both the Shadowcasters and the Monastery. Sadly, their knowledge is not great as both groups are quite secretive.

Shadowcasters: 
In the past they were said to be dreamweavers and communicated with other worlds via dreams. At some point in the distant past a new leader arose who twisted their agenda. He received aid from the Goblins and the Half-Elves (the full elves being wise enough to ignore him) and they built two dream gates. Since that time they have largely left this world be and it has been dominated by the Monastery.


The Monastery:
Originally a order dedicated to helping life those up around them they helped build the towns, make farms, villages, and mines. At some point in the past they too came under the control of a leader who changed them into an occupying force. A war was fought and the towns separated themselves from the physical lay of the land. The monks in the northern village will be able to help you more.

The next morning you leave the elven village with new packs on your back. In these packs you have some money (roughly 100 gold), food (enough so that I won't have to wonder how you are eating), and directions to get to the northern town. Illuvaen also travels along, but dresses to hide his nobility and in an attempt to hide his wood-elf heritage.
"I certainly wouldn't them being too aware of who I am." Shortly outside the village Druuv says her goodbyes and promises to meet up in the northern village before dives into a pond and disappearing.

"It will take us a good day or two to get to the northern village. Getting to the vicinity of the region will take but a moment; however journeying through tunnel into the village takes some time. Being so close to the monastery they are much more cautious."

Illuvaen leads you through the woods to a small glen where he pulls out a shovel and starts to dig. After a moment he unearthes a large stone with a handprint. He presses his hand to it and flies into the sky. Shrugging your shoulders, getting more used to this kind of travel, Kilink presses it as well.

After several cold windy hours surrounded by clouds you land smoothly in another forest glen. Nym, Darvin and Talathel fall to the ground shivering. As they look around they see that there is a small pond and a rock wall. Illuvaen, still standing (barely) points to the rock and says "straight through there. We will catch our breath first and warm up a bit. Anyone care for a spot of lunch?" He gathers some bits of wood before sitting down next to Nym to make a fire.

I will post again at 10 PM or so, if you have anything you want to do before the tunnel do it before then.

Meanwhile down below.

"Are you sure that these are the heroes the prophecy spoke of?" A younger, handsome elf asked the Queen. She was reclining on the throne and the younger elf was fanning her.
"Honestly." She looked around and toward the window before locking her eyes onto him. "No, but they are all we have and my son seems to be inclined to trust them."
"Well, if I may speak freely... have you ever met someone that Illuvaen didn't trust or try to befriend?" He said chuckling.
"Oh, now that isn't quite appropriate." The Queen said smacking his butt playfully. "Though it is completely true. He is such an open soul, almost a vestige of the true might of elvendom. It sad he was born into times such as these. In any case, they might be our only option and there are certainly bad tidings for us if we do not do anything. We shall help them as we are able and hope that everything comes out in the end. Incidentally, I tire of such politics, has my husband gone on his hunt?"

"Yes. He and his hunters just left."

"Good..." she said grinning "now, I have certain matters that need your specialized talents."

"Of course your Majesty."

"No, no, no, you are the Majesty today." She said rising from the throne and grinning openly.