The World of Skara Brae

Prince Richard replied: "I see. Well then, if he is coming here, then I shall await him here. And while we wait, you might as well tell me something about yourself. You can start with who you are."

Just then, Drek and James had arrived at the mage tower. They went up to see Micheal. Micheal was in his bed, but his servants let Drek and James in to see him, as he was not yet sleeping. Drek filled in Micheal in on James' plan to recruit some of his people in the fight against the Drow. Micheal said: "Well, It's a fine idea, but after that fight with the dragon I'm too tired to do any spellcasting. However, the mage Tagana could help you. He's an accomplished mage, and he can teleport. He's probably in the tower, and if you're lucky he's not too tired to teleport. Go down into the lobby and ask for him at the front desk. The clerks will direct you from there. Good luck." With that Drek and James did as Micheal had said, and it turned out that they were in luck. They did find this Tagana Micheal had spoken of, and he was not to tired to teleport. Tagana was an suldeneselarian Elf, about six feet four inches tall, with flowing white hair, and blue eyes. He was happy to help friends of the Arch Mage. However, he informed James that he could only teleport himself and one other person. So, if James did manage to get some recruits, Tagana would not be able to transport them all at once, such was the limit of his skill. Drek said: "Hrm... but if you do get some recruits, you can have Tagana teleport you and he back here. Then tomorrow, when Micheal is rested, Micheal can send a dragon to pick them all up. What do you think, James? Are you ready to go right now?"

"I cannot speak for anyone else, thus I shall speak only for myself" said the druid woman "I am Mellara, druid and disciple of the Oak-Father. I am but a humble servant of the wild who came to lend aid in the fight against Loth and her unnatural pawns"

Then Sam began to introduce herself "I am Sam Hunter... I've been traveling with Drek for a while now. I come from woods to the east, where I lived with my father... ah, my foster father. My true one is Eurantian"

If Mellara could wind back time she would have introduced Sam herself. Revealing that last tidbit... even she knew that could prove to be dangerous until Eurantian's friends put things into proper order.

edited 22nd Sep '12 7:33:17 PM by daltar

Before anyone else could introduce themselves, Prince Richard said: "Wait... you say you are a daughter or Eruantian? The hero Eruantian? The Ring Bearer? I was told that he had no children." The old prince seemed surprised to heard Sam claim Eruantian as her father, but he was not truly surprised. That a man as old as Eruantian may have fathered children despite not being married was kind of to be expected, really; After all, it happens all the time. Even kings and princes had been known to father illigitamate children, so why should it be any different for anyone else?

However, Orandious was simply shocked. He had withdrawn to the tower with Micheal before Eurantian had his climactic final confrontation with Lloth and it's aftermath, so he had not heard what Sam had said about meeting her father in the world-inside-the-ring. As far as he had known, Eruantian had never fathered children. In his mind, Eruantian had been a major hero figure, a kind of pure and righteous paragon of virtue that represented all that was good and heroic. To hear that Eruantian had children was, to Orandious, big news indeed. Could it be that Sam was destined to carry on her father's legacy?

Just then, Sam felt the ring stir in her pocket. It had moved, just then, of it's own accord. It was vibrating a bit, just enough that she could feel it, but not enough to make any noise.

Meanwhile, back in the tower lobby, Drek was waiting for James' reply.

James responded very simply. "Yeah, I'm ready."

"He told me... after the battle was over, I went into the ring to him. He told me that I was his child... and he told me of brothers and sisters" says Sam, honest and innocent as she always was... just as she felt the ring stirring in her pocket. Surprised, she moves her hand to it, taking it out and looking at it.

Drek nodded to James and said: "Alright then. Good luck." Tagana said to James: "Form an image in your mind of where you want to go, and I shall do the rest. Imagine it clearly in your mind, the landscape, the colours, the landmarks... concentrate."

Meanwhile, back at the inn, two men walked into the inn. One was a slightly rotund human wearing an barkeeper's apron over ordinary clothing, while the other was a thin human wearing light leather armour and held the countenance of a rouge. The man with the apron said: "Oh bloody hell, look what they did to my inn! There's a fraking hole in the roof! Augh, now who's going to pay for...." Then the man saw Prince Richard, and he quickly bowed and said: "Beg pardon, m'lord, I didn't see you there." Prince Richard said: "Quite alright, my good man, quite alright. You are Curran, are you not? The owner of this establishment, I think, yes?" The man, Curren, continued to bow and said: "I am, m'lord." Prince Richard said: "Ah, I thought so. You sit on the advisory board of The Merchant's Council, don't you? Yes, yes, that's where I know you from. You may rise. Bad luck about the hole in the roof. Caused by the Drow incursion, I think, wut?" Curren stopped bowing and said: "If you say so, m'lord." Prince Richard said: "No, I don't say so. I was asking a question: Was this hole in your roof caused by the Drow?" Curran shook his head and said: "I know not, m'lord. 'Tis is the first I've seen of my inn since I fled the town after that dragon showed up in the market square."

Prince Richard turned towards Sam and said: "Aye? Then perhaps you know what caused the hole in this man's roof, young lady?"

Orren whispered to Sam: "Careful... phrase this wrong and we could all be in trouble."

Mellara bit her lip at the intensity of the Prince's stare, knowing that she could not interrupt right now without making things worse. She would have to rely on Sam not making a step in the wrong direction.

Sam for her part, held the Ring tight in her hand before looking up at the Prince, hearing his question and then Orren's advice "It was broken by Lightning... A spell" she said, before hastily adding "To defeat a demon that appeared here. Would have broken a lot more stuff and killed people otherwise"

James tried to concentrate. The first image in his mind happened to be now his home, a town of werewolves with the farms nearby and the plains and forests that surround the place. He got a quick though of his pregnant wife, he would be happy to see that bard again. However, he can't focus on that right now, the location is what is important right now.

As James held the image of his wife and unborn child, Tagana weaved a spell that instantly transported the two to the place James was imagining... much to the consternation of the people of the town.

Meanwhile, Prince Richard said: "I see. And who among you cast this spell of lightning?"

edited 14th Oct '12 12:29:24 AM by TheSarge

"That would me, Prince Richard" said Mellara, stepping forward, her arms crossed in front of her.

James saw the werewolves of the town. While some were in their human forms, others were walking around in their hybrid forms. The ones with their fur coats out were most likely to be older, because as a werewolf gets older, they get more and more comfortable in their hybrid forms until it becomes more comfortable than their two other forms.

It looked like he had became the centre of attention, maybe he should have tried imagining the place outside of time. Trying to ease the crowd's fears, James said "Hey, long time no see, it's me James Tsif. I'm sorry about the commotion I caused."

Prince Richard said to Mellara: "Hrm... so you admit you put this hole in this roof?" As he said this, the roguish-looking man who had come in with the innkeeper stepped up to the prince and whispered something in his ear for about two minutes." The Prince nodded and said: "Oh really? Well, that is interesting." The prince reached into his pocket and gave this fellow a gold coin and gave the man a dismissive have of his hand. The man groveled and said "Your humble servant thanks his most generous lord...." The prince cut him off and said: "Yes, yes. Enough groveling, you'll get no more coin out of me today. Go skulk in an alleyway or in a sewer or whatever it is you do to find these oh-so-interesting tidbits of information you bring me. No, on second thought, go find out what you can about these two Suldeneselarian Elves you say were trying to get lord Drek to reclaim the throne of Suldeneselar. Anyone who came all he way from Suldeneselar to propose something that absurd is either totally insane or diabolically clever, and I would know which it is. So, go do what you do best and find out what you can." The man bowed, backed up, and said: "As you wish, my lord." The man then turned away from the prince and ran out the door, pulling a black hood up from his back and shoulders and over his head, and seemingly melting into the shadows as he did so.

The prince returned his gaze to the party "My my, my agent there tells me you lot been busy today. First you fight a dragon, then a horde of giant spiders and some Drow, then Lloth herself, and then a demon... and then apparently another demon. Well, Drek did always know how to pick capable companions, I'll give him that. He seems to attract them, like a moth to a flame. I do wish he'd do it somewhere else though. Well, Mister Curran, it would seem your roof has suffered war damage. But so have several other buildings, not to mention the market square which has been utterly devastated. And I know the king will insist that I help the town rebuild... so get your roof fixed, and submit the bill to my office. We'll see what the treasury can bear."

Curran said: "Oh, thank you, m'lord. But.. I don't have enough money on hand to pay to get the roof fixed. Not all at once, anyways. Could my most kind and generous lord advance me these funds..." The prince cut him off and said: "I'm your lord, mister Curran, not your bank. Can't you get the money lenders to loan you the gold you need?" Curran said: "Ordinarily yes, my lord. But... that dragon destroyed the counting houses, and I fear it killed the money lenders as well. The prince said: "Surely not all of them. And even if it did, they must have had heirs. Widows? Business partners? Have no fear, my good mister Curran, someone will lend the money. Just not me."

Curran, crestfallen, said: "As you say, my lord."

The prince straightened up and said: "I say, cheer up good fellow. It's not so bad. There's a lot of people worse off than you this day. I lost a whole platoon of the Town Watch today. The fought dragons, and they lost. What do you suppose their wives and children are going through, aye? What do you suppose people would say if I gave you special favours just because someone put a hole in you roof, aye? What could I tell them? You and I are leaders in this community, Curran. Aye, leaders, you and I. I may be their lord but they come into your inn, sit at your tables, drink your drinks, and talk to you. You, Curran, not me. They ask you advice, they tell you their troubles, they talk at your tables and over your drinks. I dare say you know them better than I do. So, they need you now, Curran. They need you to be keep this inn open so they can continue to come in here and sit at your tables, drink your drinks, and talk to you. And if that means finding a money lender, then that's a small price to pay to help the town lift it's spirits. But don't do it for me, not even for you, but for the town, Curran. For the town. You need it as much as it needs you. Can I count on you? Can the town count on you?"

Curran seemed to brighten up and he said: "Yes, m'lord. Thank you, m'lord"

The prince flipped Curran a silver coin said: "That's a good fellow. Now, get me a drink. A glass of that light cider you have. You can keep the change."

Curren smiled and said: "Right away, m'lord!" He ran off to behind the bar to tapp a keg of cider for the prince.

Prince Richard then turned to Mellara and said: "So, girl... You cast lightning, aye? You don't look like one of Micheal's mages. No, I could tell if you were one of his. Not cut from the same cloth as those bookworms. So, if you're not one of Micheal's mages, then where did you learn to cast lightning?"

As Richard was talking, Drek was exiting the Micheal's mage tower and hastening to the inn with the hole in the roof. Along the way he passed a man hiding in shadows so well that Drek never noticed him.

Meanwhile, James was in the middle of his home town with the Elven mage Tagana standing beside him. One of the elder women of the town said: "James Tsif.. yes, yes I recognize you. You went off to adventure among the outsiders and learn their ways. And now you bring one of them to us... he'll betray us to the outsiders who hate us and think we're evil!"

Then, another werewolf (a male) said: "Hush up, old woman. James wouldn't betray us. I'm sure he has a good reason for bringing this Elf to our midst. It's good to see you again, James. How goes the adventuring? Slay any dragons yet?"

Some of them boys and young men laughed at this, but most of the townsfolk did not. James recognized the man who had spoken to him with respect: This was Eric Kalth, James' cousin.... the son of one of James' aunts. Eric was an artisan and a tinkerer as well as a painter and woodcarver. He made a living fixing things, making tools, painting pictures, and solving problems. From an early age, Eric has been inclined towards making things... and taking things apart. He was always coming up with new inventions and novel solutions to common problems. Though some said there was a bit of Gnome in him, everyone in the town respected him for his skills and his cool head.

edited 6th Oct '12 6:23:15 PM by TheSarge

"I learned from where lightning ought to come, Prince Richard. From the clouds, the air, down to meet the earth. I follow not the Arcane Weave but the natural order of life. I am but a Druid" says Mellara simply, her eyes never leaving the Prince.

She was more than a bit curious about the man's intentions with this questioning. Was it merely the fancy, the puzzlement of a learned man finding something that didn't quite fit what he was expecting to see? Or was there some hidden meaning behind it? So far, Mellara had learned a lot from the exchange between the Prince and the Innkeeper, but it was far too soon to determine what kind of man he was.

Meanwhile Kalan had woken up from his sleep due to all the talking going on in the floor below him. Soundlessly he slipped out of bed and strapped the rolls of knives around his chest and arms before putting on his linen tunic. quitely he approached the door, his naked feet barely making any sound at all.

It only sounded like they were talking, and there was no argument, nor any threats he could detect so it was probably safe. But Kalan was not one to take needless chances, besides, if it did break out a fight his new Master would probably expect him by his side. But once he arrived to the common room he did not see his Master Drek anywhere and concluded that maybe had not returned from the burial site yet. Instead he saw a face that he recognized from the dozens of portraits of him that Kalan had examined during noumerous assassiantion planning exercises when hee was still training, and serving his father.

"Excuse me my lord for my intrusion into this discussion!" Kalan exlcaimed as he walked into the common room and curtsied, followed by a polite bow towards Prince Richard before turning to Sam. "I guess Master Drek has not returned yet?"

Eric Kalth, it's a good thing he got away from the Iron Fang tribe, this village allowed him to get in touch with his inventive side.

"No but I've been talking to a dragon." Quickly getting to the subjected at hand, James announced "Look, now's not the time for idle chatter there's something important I need to say."

Prince Richard blinked with surprise when Mellara said she was a druid, and he said to Mellara: "Oh, a druid aye? Well, we certainly don't get many druids around here. You know, if one didn't know better one might think that we'd see a few druids come in for a spot of ale or a bit of shopping on a regular basis just like any other type of fellow. And I know there are druids out there, I get enough reports about them that I can estimate how many there are. But do you know, it's been years since any druids came in to town here in Targos. In fact, I can't even remember the last time a druid came to Targos. So, do you know what that tells me, my dear lady druid? That tells me that my town doesn't usually have anything a druid needs. And yet, here you are. On the day a bunch of dragons attack the town, no less. Not to mention Lloth. Well, as you can certainly see, I just would not be doing my job if I didn't ask why you came here, now would I? So tell me, why did you come here?"

Just then, Kalan interrupted the conversation. Gerrard whispered quietly replied to Kalan: "Shush! No, he's not back yet, but we've got company. The kind of company that, when in their presence, one shuts one's mouth up and speaks only when spoken to. The old one is a Duke, and the king's uncle. The young one with the slanted eyes and the fancy armour is the crown prince of some place called "Zurquan." And before you ask, I have no idea where that is."

Meanwhile, Drek was approaching the Inn. As he approached, he could see a group of soldiers standing outside, and he recognized them; This was Prince Richard's bodyguard. He knew that meant the prince was inside. The guards saluted when the saw Drek and stood at attention. One of them said: "My lord Drek, Prince Richard has been looking for you." Drek nodded: "I imagine he has. He's inside, I take it? Very well, I shall attend him presently. As you were."

As all this was happening, the townsfolk of James' town, including Erik Kalth, were quiet, waiting for James to say this important something he had come to say.

edited 10th Oct '12 5:36:10 AM by TheSarge

"Well, that's an easy question to answer, Prince. My Order recognizes the threat of and is completely opposed to the presence of the beings of the Lower Planes in the Prime Material Plane. Thus, when they learned of an impeding invasion by not only spawn from those dark places but of an evil Goddess trying to gain a foothold on this world... Well the druids couldn't stand still on such information. Thus, I was ordered to spread my wings and come in full haste to help contain the situation" said Mellara simply "So yes my Prince. Today a druid appeared within your city, because only today did it hold something that would call a druid's attention"

Sam for her part continued to hold tightly the ring on one hand while nodding at Kalan after Gerrad's explanation, corroborating that what the man said is true.

<OOC: Sorry for the delay, things like exams made it hard for me to think of the right speech>

It seemed they were all ears. This town mocked him as a barbarian a while ago and now, they were all willing to listen to what he said. Did he turn into the town hero that quickly?

Trying to get back on focus, James began his announcement. "Let me say this directly, the Drow are bent on war again just like they were 60 years ago and it's likely they're going to bring a few demons along to their aid. I know this is sudden for me to say but, I'm looking for help. Our race are the servants of the moon goddess, right? I don't think she would want foul demons roaming out of the lower planes!

And it's not just about our goddess, it's about ourselves. Us werewolves have been hiding for so long but I know deep down, you all wish we could all be more open to other races. I've been spending a good chunk of my life to make that happen and now is finally the time we can make the first step. If we help in the coming war, we can make a good impression. We have to try to get that, if not for ourselves but for our descendants..."

As Drek walked into the inn, Sam could once again feel the ring stir in her hand. It was vibrating again, this time stronger than before.

Prince Richard, intent on his conversation with Mellara, did not notice Drek enter. He continued to talk to Mellara: "I see. And which order is it you serve? Who is your Arch-Druid?"

Drek, however, interrupted, saying: "You summoned me, your highness?"

Richard was a bit annoyed with having his interesting conversation interrupted, but then he remember what he had come here for. "Ah, there you are. Well it seems I owe you an apology, my good Barron. I didn't believe it when you and Eruantian told me you said you believed Lloth was back from the dead. I should have know better. But now she's defeated, so you can go home, yes?"

Drek replied: "Would that it was that simple, your highness. Lloth may be forever trapped in Eruantian's ring, but we have reason to believe she had already opened the seal on the gate to The Underdark before then. As you know, that portal is located in the Zurquan kingdom. That is why the Crown Prince of that land is here today: He came with Eruantian to seek the aid of Micheal in sealing the gate, and along the way they came and got me... and my friends here... more or less."

Mal said: "Yes, well, some of us found out what Lloth was up to in other ways."

Richard said: "Ah, it speaks. Why is that Drow not dead or in chains, Drek?"

Drek said: "My lord, this is Mal. She's a leader of a faction of the Drow who have rejected Lloth and have rebelled against the majority of the Drow who still worship Lloth. She has been of great help to me in providing information about the Drow and in helping to fight against Lloth."

Richard raised and eyebrow and said: "Rebels you say? Well, now that I do not believe. All the Drow are firmly under the domination of the cult of Lloth. I don't trust Drow. Any Drow. You know as well as i do how devious and deceptive they can be. Whatever this Drow claims to be, whatever it's done to aid you, I say it's not worth the risk to leave it alive. Kill it."

Drek said: "My lord, I fear that would not be wise. As I said, Mal has been of great assistance to me. I, too, place little trust in any Drow, and when I first met Mal my first instinct was as your is now. I even took her prisoner. But over time she has proven herself a true and trustworthy ally. A friend, even. She knows the Drow society like nobody else. She has allies inside The Underdark, and she's our best hope of finding a way to convince all the Drow that Lloth is a false god..."

Prince Richard growled and said: "A friend? A FRIEND!? Have you taken leave of your senses? It's a Drow. A DROW! You know what they are, you know what they do! Kill it now before..."

Drek cut him off angrily, saying: "Now just a minute! I know the Drow better than you do, Prince Richard. Mal is not like the Drow you know. She's not evil. And, frankly my lord, I believe you are not being objective here; You are letting your personal feelings here cloud your judgment. Yes, the Drow killed your son, and yes, they are enemies of the nation, but you have a duty to see past that. Mal is not the whole Drow nation, and the rebel faction she is part of are a potential ally. And we will need allies against the Drow, and soon. Judge with your head, your grace, not your heart. You know me, you know my experience in such matters. Would I ever lead you astray? Have I ever? You know the answer to that. I'm a hero of the realm, a sworn enemy of the Drow, and what's more, a friend of yours. If I vouch for Mal, is that not enough?"

The Prince's was very angry now. He replied: "Ohhhhhhhhh.... Dam you, you're right. You're right, your right, you're right... BUT I DON'T HAVE TO LIKE IT! Augh... fine, this Drow lives... for now."

Drek smiled and said: "Thank you, my lord."

The prince glared at Mal and said: "So. You lead a faction of the Drow, aye? Well then, you and I have a lot to talk about. You are going to tell me everything you know about Lloth's forces, and about these rebels of yours. And you're going to do it now, before I change my mind."

As these words were being exchanged, Eruantian's Ring was growing warmer and warmer in Sam's hand, but when the prince relented and let Mal live, the ring suddenly stopped vibrating, and grew cold again in Sam's tightly clenched fist. As it did, Claire whispered to Sam: "Whew, that was close. Mal's sure lucky Drek trusts her."

As all this was going on, Aaron's life-force seeing power suddenly returned. He could see two life forces where Sam was: One that was hers, and another tiny ring-shaped one inside her hand. It looked like she was holding onto something alive. But then, as quickly as this power flared up, it died down again. And Aaron could only see in the regular way.

Mal then proceeded to tell the prince everything she knew about the Drow. She had limited information on how many Drow might already be on the surface, but she did know what kind of army they would field. She describe their equipment, chain of command, strategy, tactics, and likely leaders. She continued: "Right now, their main weakness is their supply train. They don't have any settlements on the surface yet, so that means that all their supplies need to either come up from The Underdark or be taken in raids on the surrounding countryside. Well, the portal is the only opening large enough to get any quantity of supplies through large enough to feed an army. We close the portal, and they're cut off from their main line of supply, not to mention their only possible source of reinforcements. Also, when we Drow first come to the surface, our vision is impaired because there's no sunlight in The Underdark, and our eyes our not used to it. They take a while to adapt to the brightness of the sun. This also means the Drow army be more likely to sleep in the day and be active at night. Like all elves, we can see in the dark as well as you can in daylight."

The Prince nodded and said: "And what of your rebels?"

Mal said: "We are relatively few, my lord, but my people will be doing what we can to overthrow the cult of Lloth. My goddess..."

The Prince cut her off with a wave of his hand and said: "Fine, fine, but what can your people do to aid us in fighting the Drow on the surface?"

Mal said: "Well... there are very few of us on the surface, just me really. The others that came with me when I first came to the surface did not survive. You see, there are only a few ways to get to the surface from the Underdark, and nearly all of those were closed off during the last war. The few that remain accessible are small. they are also difficult and dangerous to use. I came here with a few friends through such a place, only to find we came out far from where we thought we would be. We also found that once on the surface, we could not go back. I later was killed, as were my companions, but I was resurrected by my goddess in a rebel settlement in The Underdark. Later I was teleported here by my goddess to Targos to seek out Drek and offer him my aid." Mal was leaving out the part about how she was, until recently, a priestess of Lloth, and only became a rebel after she was resurrected. But then, after the anti-Drow racist display put on by Prince Richard just then, can you really blame her?

Mal continued: "My people in The Underdark are engaged in a campaign of hit-and-run attacks and sabotage. They destroy forts and bridges, ambush supply trains, assassinate generals, spread anti-Lloth songs and stories, and just generally stir up trouble against the existing regime. There's not enough of us to fight open battles. It's all we can do just to maintain control over our own few settlements and fortresses.... and most of that relies on deception and subterfuge anyways. If the pro-Lloth forces knew where we had our bases, they could easily crush us."

Richard said: "Then your rebels are of little help to us. We need military allies here on the surface, not sabatogers and assassins locked away in The Underdark."

Drek said: "Actualy, my lord, they could turn out to be invaluable. If Mal's rebels could sabotage the road on the other side of the portal, it would be of enormous help when we try and close the gate. Have you ever tried to close a gate when there's an enemy army marching through it? I wouldn't recommend it, your highness."

Richard seemed to prek up and bit and he raised both eyebrows. He said: "Why... yes... yes, you could be right. But I still don't like the idea of relying on Drow... even if they are anti-Lloth Drow."

Drek said: "If you know of a better way to prevent the Drow from marching through the gate as we try and close it, then please enlighten us, my lord. I'm sure we all would love to hear your ingenious and foolproof plan to close the gate."

Richard smirked at Drek and said: "Nobody likes a smart-alec, Drek. Alright, suppose we do as you say. How do we contact them and tell them we want them to do this for us? The Underdark is cut off. Only the gods can teleport in and out of there, and just one at a time."

Drek smiled and said: "That's where Mellara comes in. It's a well-known fact a certain Druid is so in tune with Gaea that he can literally pass right through rocks, trees, soil, and anything else that is of the natural world. I speak, of course, of the Arch-Druid of Skara Brae. He's too much of a neutralist to aid us directly, but if we can convince him to lend this this power of his to Mellara, she can get us into The Underdark and then we can contact the Rebels."

Prince Richard said: "Perhaps, but nobody's heard from old druid for years. Went into seclusion after the Drow War. Do you even know where he is?"

Drek said: "I just might. I suspect he's in The Kulduhar."

Prince Richard said: "The what?"

Drek said: "A far-off place, but it just so happens that I was there recently. Seems like a good time to make a return trip. You rally the King's Army, your grace, while I rally the rebels to our cause. An with the help of the forces of Zurquan, how can we loose?"

Richard said: "I don't have time right now to count how many ways we can loose, so instead I'll just agree to your plan and pray you're right."

Meanwhile, the people of James' town were reacting to his words. Most of them seemed skeptical. One of them, one of the young men that had laughed at James before, called out: "Drow? What Drow? They're aint been any Drow on the surface for fifty years. Not around here, anyways. And besides, why should be stick our necks our for the humans and the elves when they've been so eager for so long to chop ours off? Better to let them tend to their own problems I say, while we tend to ours."

Several other people voiced similar sentiments, but Erik Kalth did not. He knew James' personalty and, whatever he might think of James life as a ranger, he knew James was no liar. Still, without any evidence of Drow at hand, how could he argue he point?

Just then, an old man (James recognized him at Abraham Meseer, a respected shaman and the town herbalist) called out: "Hold on now, hold on! I remember the Drow War. Them Drow don't give up easy, and when the war ended they vowed they'd find a way to start it again. I wouldn't put it past them that they've found a way out of The Underdark again. I know James, too. Ne's no liar. He didn't become a ranger because he's got an overactive imagination. He became a ranger to defend people. Therefore, as a member of the council of elders, I hereby declare the council shall assemble in the Great Hall to hear James speak and decide what to do." There was a lot of murmuring in the crowd at this, but nobody spoke out against the shaman.

Erik said to James: "I hope for your sake you can convince the elders that there's another Drow War coming. Did you bring any proof?"

edited 14th Oct '12 12:31:45 AM by TheSarge

Mellara crossed her arms as she stared at Drek "Bold move, Drek. To request the aid of the Arch-Druid in this endeavor even after I have been sent... Still, think it through. How do you even plan to get his help on this? The drow army might be very bad news for the realms surrounding their point of access, but to the followers of nature they are just another civilization. Sure, they are consorting with Demons and the Abyss, but without their Goddess they present no ideological motive for my people to move"

"So, I wonder... what angle are you going to play the Arch-Druid to get his support? As far as the plan goes this seems like the only problem. Indeed, I might be a student of the Sky and Storms, but with the help of the Arch-Druid I'm sure I could accomplish what you propose"

Sam for her part clung tighter to the ring as the discussion between Drek and the Prince got heated. She too didn't like the direction it was going right until the point where the Prince relented on his position. Thus, at the same time as the ring cooled down did she let out a breath of relief... and thus did she notice that perhaps the Ring was reacting to the argument.

"You too were worrying about Mal...?" asks Sam in a low whisper as she opens her hand to stare down at the ring.

James replied to Erik "Well, there's plan A, which I hope will work because the later letters fall into improvisation."

Than, he quickly responded to Tagana "Do you have a few more teleportation spells in you?"

edited 17th Oct '12 6:38:34 AM by JustaUsername

Claire whispered to Sam: "Uh-huh. Mal is like me; She's different, and I know what it feels like to be different. People shouldn't want to kill you just because you're different, it's hard enough as it is. Plus, she's died one already, that's enough dying."

Meanwhile Drek was saying: "Oh, I think I can persuade the arch-druid. He's helped me once before, by the way, just before the last Drow War. In fact, he was around before and during the last Drow War, so he knows that the Drow represent a threat to nature. See, the Drow aren't just coming to conquer the surface world, they're coming to enslave all non-Drow and to exploit nature without a care for the kind of damage they'll do to the world. The Underdark isn't like the surface world, so the Drow don't respect the natural world the way we do. They'll cut down trees by the millions, blast away whole mountains just to get at precious minerals, and even drain away whole lakes if it suits their purposes."

Mal said: "He's right. The leaders of the cult of Lloth believe that the whole world should be changed to suit their needs, regardless of the consequences. Not only that, they believe that spiders should be the predominant animals on the planet. They consider this to be a mater of faith, a inviolable doctrine that must not be questioned."

Drek said: "Right, and if they're allowed to pursue those goals, that represents a major unbalancing of how the world works. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Mellaria, but don't druids value balance above all?"

Meanwhile, over at James' wife's town, Tagana was saying: "I can only teleport about three more times today.. assuming we don't add more passengers to the mix. The more souls I have to move, the more taxing it is one me."

Just then, behind him, he could hear the voice of his wife calling to him. She was calling his name.

"Hey, hey, no need to convince me. I was just asking if you knew how to convince the esteemed Arch-Druid" said Mellara with a smile, lifting her arms in an expression of surrender "Though I have to admit I've heard a few things I didn't know before. Now I'm even more determined to be the one to show those Drow not to mess with the Natural Order. As before, you have my claws in this fight"

Sam was a tad shocked to hear Claire answer her question, but it did bring a smile to her face. She slipped the ring into her pocket again and then ruffled her hair a little "Yes... you're right, Claire. She's with us. We won't let anything bad happen to her"

Well, James should get to teleportation, however than he heard her voice. He heard Fey's voice.

Turning to see his pregnant wife. The bard he married, the one who was beautiful in looks, voice and personality. A werewolf who was a traveler just like himself. He could finally see her again and James could only say one thing.

"I'm sorry Fey, I can't come home yet."

Claire hugged Sam as Drek said: "Alright, it's settled then. Tomorrow morning, after James gets back... hopefully with reinforcements from... erm... his people... we head back to the Kulduhar. But right now, Sam and I have an appointment with a fletcher*."

Meanwhile, James' wife Fey said: "But James, I was hoping we could... I has been lonely without you, husband." Erik said: "The council won't wait long, Fey. If James is to get the evidence he needs to convince them, he needs to go get it now." Fey said: "Are the Drow really coming back James?"

• A fletcher is someone who makes arrows and sells them. But you probably knew that already.