Distant shores: Chapter 1 - The voyage North

[dplax]

Stendel and Aneuhl part 2 of 2

"Aneuhl, there is one more thing I wish to tell you. Had I not seen the necessity for telling you all this, I would not have, but there was a necessity. You, Aneuhl are the backup plan. I have a guess, well actually just a feeling that somehow the elves are involved in this. What their involvement might be, I have no idea. As to what the backup plan might be." Stendel withdrew a small wooden box from one of his pockets. "This is the backup plan."

"You cannot ask this of me." he answered softly, "You know as well as I that they would never accept such a half breed... like myself." the bitterness in his voice was clear, "I would have asked you of kin I might have, if you could possibly know, but then I realised that... any taint that my father left in my mother would be reflected in me. My father's kin would hunt me on sight and not stop until I was dead. At best, my mother's people would shun me." Aneuhl seemed to be taking the news calmly - a little too calmly, given it was the greatest revelation of his young life. "But... I will try. It is that important." He nodded slowly.

"The need is not for them to accept you. The need would be for you to be able to reach their leader and offer him this. Being a half-elf half-goblin would intrigue the elves enough to maybe satisfy your request of seeing their leader. In this box, is something the elves have desired to obtain from my order for centuries. Do not talk about it to the others, do not show it to them, and if possible do not even look at it. It is too powerful for any of the four of you. If the need does arise, with this you can obtain the cooperation of the elves in this matter. Use it wisely, and only in dire need. It would be quite good to see it again, if you manage to resolve the situation without having to resort to giving it away."

"That does not tell me much," Aneuhl complained, "Except not to look inside the box. How will I contact my mother's people anyway?"

Stendel did not like using Aneuhl this way, loathed himself for it, but he knew the necessity. If his suspicions were correct he would never see what the box contained again.

"If my wild guesses and suspicions turn out to be true, then you shall be meeting elves sooner or later, but if you need to find them, then all you'll have to do is follow your heart's call. It is said that an elf never forgets what his homeland was like, even when not being born there."

"That still tells me nothing!" taking a deep breath, Aneuhl apologised, "I am sorry, it's just... this is all a bit much. It's just a tad overwhelming." he sighed and frowned "I would ask... being half elven... or even half... half go- well, do I possess the gift of magic? Even a little? Could I be trained? Taught in its use?" his eyes shone again, "I hear there is nothing more beautiful than it in all the world, more mystical than the stars themselves..."

Stendel's hand on Aneuhl's shoulder briefly glowed light blue, and then he spoke.

"Determining one's magical talents takes a series of long tests, but I do sense the possibility in you. Given the right teacher and the right methods, there is a possibility that these abilities are brought to the surface."

"Then... if I do this for you...?" Aneuhl left the question hanging in the air. "Perhaps my mother's kindred would accept me more readily if I was of some use to them... and even if they did not, at least I could be of more use to mankind."

Stendel nodded, then handed Aneuhl the box. Given what he had been told about it, Aneuhl had expected it to be a heavy burden, but it was surprisingly light, barely heavier than an empty wooden box would be. There was no lock, nor decoration on the box, it could simply be opened by lifting the lid. Heeding Stendel’s warning, Aneuhl did not open it, he just slipped it into a pocket.

"Let us go and join the others." – Stendel suggested, and helped Aneuhl up.

Once both of them were seated, Stendel addressed the four, who had been chosen.

"I think I have addressed your questions, but if you have any more, I’m still available to answer them. Oh, silly me, I almost forgot. You shall have to leave as soon as possible, first time in the morning. Meet Armus and me in front of the Council building at dawn."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Just one more," Aneuhl answered, still shaken deeply, "I - would it be possible to uh, well, stay somewhere under the council's protection for tonight. I just..." He wouldn't meet anyone's eyes, "Wouldn't feel comfortable being... out in the open so to speak, and since this mission is so important, I would rather avoid any potential conflict..." Although he did not show it, Aneuhl felt scared. This latest information had touched him far more deeply than he let on, and he knew if the truth were revealed, he would be hunted as an abomination and right now, the young man felt incredibly insecure and needed to come to terms with this new revelation. "If it isn't too much trouble, please..."

Aneuhl's complexion was paler than usual and his green eyes were troubled. Clutching his tankard of juice, by the way his hand trembled, it was clear he should probably touch something stronger to settle his nerves.

[ 03-05-2006, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[dplax]

Armus Jallak and Stendel

Armus, after having drunk all that he had, really needed the restroom. He stood up, motioning that he'd be back soon.

"That can be arranged for you Aneuhl, and for anyone else, who might request it. The Council does have a few rooms as the one Armus has been staying in recently."

An uneasy silence fell between the four of them, until Armus returned with a full tray of drinks.

"Here, I've brought a shot for each of us. I think we all need them." He handed them out one by one, finally giving one to Aneuhl. "You especially, Aneuhl. I don't know what Stendel told you, but you surely look like you can use quite a few drinks after it."

[dplax]

Quite a few drinks later, Armus and one of the council guards carried the sleeping Aneuhl between them back to the council building. The four adventurers each fell asleep in their respective quarters, whether they went home to spend a last night with those they knew or whether they slept under the council's protection.

All four dreamt the same dream, as the magic, which Stendel worked infused their bodies and souls.

Sickness, disease, pain
touch you they shall not.
Efforts not failing in vain,
Untie the mystery's knot.

The next morning they all woke well rested, and not even Aneuhl felt the effects of the massive hangover he should have had.

[Morgeruat]

Rastheme

The dwarf stretched and began recounting the events of the previous evening. If the elves were behind this then things would be quite interesting in the immediate future. "I don't know what we're going to be up against, but I think we're probably all in a bit over our heads" He turned to the others "I'm not sure where they want us to start, but I think it's likely that this thing is spreading like ripples in a pond, our best chance of finding the source seems to be diving directly into the center, or walking there as the situation may warrant." He scratched at his thick goatee, and went through several drills, keeping himself loosened up as well as keeping his speed sharp. After he finished that he began oning his blades, polishing them and ensuring that they would not fail him due to lack of care on his part.

[Kazilan]

Machaon

Machaon had remained silent through the discussion the night before. His thoughts were focused on the implications of this strange magical disease that threatened everyone. The combination of fear and inebriation (as he had compensated for his lack of speaking with heavy drinking) muddled his thoughts, however, and in the bed provided by the council he drifted off into a deep sleep, his backpack, belt pouches, and staff strewn across the floor.

He awoke the next morning refreshed, and surprisingly clear headed. The fear remained in the back of his thoughts, but now he felt a clear resolve to meet the danger head on.

"At the very least," he mumbled to himself, "I don't have to worry so much about giant monsters or legions of cannibals. This is a thinking man's quest. And if there is one that I can do, it's think."

He gathered up his things and joined his companions, clothes and pouches in disarray but eyes bright and clear. He looked at Rastheme as he spoke.

"Perhaps we should dive towards the center. However, I could use some time to investigate areas already hit by the plague to try to determine if my skills could slow it. Knowing the enemy, even when the enemy is a disease, is surely a good idea."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Head..." Was the first word that Aneuhl spoke upon awakening, "My head... great forest trees.. what..."

He groaned as he dimly recalled last night's epsiode. Vague, blurry images of shot glass upon empty shot glass seemed to tease him, and the haunting image of dancing topless on tables whirled within his mind.

A moment later he leant over the side of the bed and reacted, vomitting part of last night's vodka... Thankfully for him, someone (possibly even himself) had somehow had the foresight to place a bucket at the bedside.

With another groan, Aneuhl glanced around and shuddered, trembling as his body disagreed with the liquor intake of last night. As it so happened, Aneuhl had not drunk a lot - barely enough to make a dwarf tispy, truth be told, but for his constitution, well, it had put him under the table in a very literal way. He did not recall exactly at what point he had started composing poetry, but scrawls of his usually neat, angular writing covered several sheets of parchment.

"The Ballad of the Purple Pinojay and his rise"

Was one such title. The second comprised of (in essay form) :

"The Ballad of the Phoenix and her Unicorn lover; a union that was never meant to be.

'Forbidden was the Phoenix's undying, immortal fire of love,' spake the goblin as he recited his woeful tale, 'a loev through time untold spoke he, beloved saviour of the-'

Aneuhl couldn't read any more and moaned in digust, "Never again..."

~~~

Several hours later found him standing wobberly with his companions, a tinge of green haunting the edges of his lips and his vissage far more pale than usual. In fact, it was so pale it was almost a faint golden hue in the bright morning light - which served only to make him cringe further.

Aneuhl did not speak, but instead stared distractedly and distantly into space, the words of his unicorn running through his mind. 'And thus she flew, through the forest trees, her stride at once a graceful gait as woeful wonders met her gaze oh joy, did she beseeach his gaze, for fie, oh fly, the unicorn's love - the phoenix is, but nevermore, for low he cried, avast, he cried, and flew he high above the moonlit sky, above the pirate's lowly sight, and through the clouds of dark and night, as burning bright for such a star, oh Isokla, he cried and dwelt in shame, his love for her now ever sane, 'my live and love and heart are yours, from now unto thy waterfall, for fall I shall in fire and flame, and burn to ash to mask my shame... oh unicorn, I love thee so - so please, o please, I beg you - get rid of this pink hippo. It plagues my mind with elephant tusks, behold this beast I cannot skahe, it stares into my soul, beware! O unicorn, how drunk must I -'

With a start Aneuhl came to, and whispered to any who would listen, "I think I'm going to... vomit again. Great forests, never let me drink again. This poetry... ugh, I never knew I had it in me." Anuehl looked positively naueous.

As far as the young man's attire was concerned, it seemed to be the same clothing he had worn the day before, and no doubt, had slept in it for unlike yesterday, he was not looking his usual tidy self and his tunic was rumpled and to say his hair was disheaved would be an understatement. In short, he was a mess and had no few stains on his breeches from the drink last night. His golden green eyes were shining vividly this morning and were haunted by memories. Usually his eyes were green and rarely shone gold - for him to bear this hue spoke of his not-quite human herritage.

Despite Stendles spell, Aneuhl seemed more disturbed than physically ill.

---
OOC: I apologise for the spelling errors in advance and I'll spell check this when I get home. For now... enjoy and try not to cringe as much as I did .



[ 03-18-2006, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[dplax]

Armus Jallak

Armus did not drink as much alcohol as his companions did last night, preferring to have a clear head in the morning. Despite this he was the last to wake. When he joined the others he was carrying a plate of fried eggs with ham. Seeing the state Aneuhl was in, Armus put the plate down on a table, so that Aneuhl did not have to suffer from the smell of food.

"It will soon get better." - he said cheerfully to Aneuhl, and sat down on a chair next to Machaon and Rastheme.

"I see you two have been planning." - he commented, motioning at the map of Paradisia in front of them. It was mostly incomplete only incorporating the human and dwarven inhabited areas on it, along with a few elven areas in the north of the island. The route Armus and company had taken was drawn in in red on the map, in the form of a strange shaped loop.

"Any specific plans yet?" - he asked.


OOC: I hope you don't mind me adding in that map for your planning session. Please note that the map is not the one I had posted in the discussion thread, if you want to imagine it, it's that map, minus all the interior.

[Larry_OHF]

OOC>>>dplax wrote most of this post, and I added a few things of my own to get my character into the game.

=================================================

Archdruid Cernain surveyed his brethren gathered around the ritual circle of stones. The fortunes had been consulted both through the flight of birds, and through sticks thrown to the ground. The time had come. All the signs had showed a favourable future and Cernain knew that such an opportunity could not be wasted. The four men and four women sitting around him in a semi-circle were the pride of his people. Three druids and five trainees to be sent to faraway lands.

”My sisters and my brothers, children of Gaia. Long have we waited for this opportunity, but finally it has come. The winds and the earth gave us the desperately sought signs. Far you shall travel, but remember: however far you might be, you shall be walking the same Earth, and the same spirits shall guide your steps.”

Nytia could not contain her excitement and she silently wept with joy at the potential of this adventure. It was a time to prove her worth and end her training! After nearly twenty years, she had arrived at this point in time, and she knew that she was destined to succeed, yet still nervous at the same time.

Cernain lifted his hands in a gesture of blessing, and motioned for them to stand up.

”The ships have been prepared and stocked. Your journey shall soon begin, but before that I wish to speak to each of you alone before you leave.”

Cernain started with the three who were already entitled as druids followed by the trainees. Nytia was the second among the trainees after a young man named Johann, barely past fifteen years of age. As she reached the clearing where Cernain was she was surprised at having never seen it, despite living in these forests for several years. Cernain must have guessed her thoughts, as he adressed her curiosity.

”This clearing is where I live. Not many of the druids are even granted the privilege of seeing it. It also happens to be guarded by the three oldest oaks in the forest.”

He completed a circular motion with his hands, indicating it to Nytia that he wished her to take a good look around. It was truly a beautiful, albeit small clearing. The grass was rich and green, and the trees seemed as though this were a place they genuinely enjoyed growing in.

”This is the deepest heart of the forest, where the spirit of nature is the strongest. Can you feel it?”

Nytia was overwhelmed by that very feeling. Her joyous expression told the elder druid her response without needing any verbal queue.


”Nytia, there is something that I must say, which brings pain to my heart to say it. Nytia…I know that this journey will be more of a challenge for you than for the others, for while they seek to prove themselves and spread our faith amongst new peoples, I am concerned that this travel will introduce to you something of a dark past that was left behind long ago. You will be faced with tremendous trials…yet I must also include in my concern that signs I have seen points me to suggest that you will suffer a great responsibility unexpected. While my soul is heavy with worry for your safety, I too am trusting that you will know how to take care of yourself as you seek the guidance from nature’s many-faceted jewels of resource. For this cause I want you to have something that is special to me, to keep you company.

Cernain takes a chain off from around his neck which held an Aventurine pendant, handing the necklace to Nytia, who accepted it with an outstreched hand.

”I want you to have this, that it will bless your travel as it has blessed mine over many years. As you well know, Aventurine strengthens the central vertical axis which stabilizes us during expansion experiences and helps us move into and through new experiences with grace, stamina and perseverance. It is good for spiritual trailblazers and pioneers, such as yourself.”

Nytia places the pendant around her neck, knowing of the value of the gem, yet not knowing how to begin to thank her mentor for such a gift as this.

”Go now, my child…and know that you are never alone, even in your darkest hour and trial of greatest doubt…for you shall be watched over by many.”

~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~

The eight travelers boarded the Northern Voyager, a small merchant vessel the next morning. They were a strange company, all cloaked and hooded, but the captain had been paid enough not to ask questions. Thus started their long journey across the endless seas. Just as they entered the fifth month of their cruise a strange, white bird flew overhead. Gweanna, a female druid, named leader of the expedition by Cernain interpreted the seagull’s flight as a good omen. The next morning land was spotted, and three days later, they had reached their intermediary destination; the city of Dosrothon.

Nytia had feared that she would be overwhelmed with anger and other dark emotions upon seeing this town again. However the strange sensation of no feeling at all above that of her mission prevailed and she was contented to let her thoughts of the past life go unvistited for now. After staying here two weeks in the city, Nytia had realized that there was actually not much of a change to the city since she’d seen it last as a child.

The procession of eight hooded travellers left the city the same day that Armus arrived back, leaving before they learnt of the news he brought. They mostly avoided the roads, moving steadily northwards, where they had heard the vast forests of Paradisia could be found.

[Kazilan]

Machaon

Machaon looked at Armus' food for a moment before deciding to get some for himself. He returned quickly with a plate.

"Armus, you've been on the interior before and you've talked with the council. I assume that you had an idea of a plan before we were hired. If you would share it we could get a better sense of our next move. While I would appreciate time to study the disease while we travel through the wilderness, I know it may not be an option."

Machaon dug into his breakfast while he waited for a response.