Chapter Nine: Crossroads

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress|:.


Despite Luna's confession regarding Shalin, Nivirea still looked somewhat impressed. "Pretty, polite, and modest on top of that! Lovely. I think you and I would get along just fine." she remarked with a grin, and for a moment it seemed that she would hug her, but then the moment passed.


The girl remained smiling as her eyes wandered over to Otiorin for what must have been the tenth time. "And you... I knew there was something... quaint... about you." she told him, fixing a stray lock of her black hair.  "I have never seen a half-elf before. Do tell, are you all dashing serpents underneath the skin?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Spoiler

HP: 56


Spells per day(1st:2nd)/remaining(1st:2nd): 4:3


Spells available: Daze, Detect Magic, Ghost Sounds, Open/Close, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, Gravity Bow, Shield, Summon Monster 1, Mage Armor, Ice Slick


Active effects: Mage Armor, Shield

Otiorin smiled. Not only had she correctly divined his ancestry, but she'd also got an inkling of his draconic heritage.


"Ah yes, but don't all we sorcerers hide a little something under our skins? Faerie? Dryad? Nymph? Which of the Fae Folk granted you their favour?", he replied, grinning widely, "Otiorin Taletreader of Waterwind, at your service."


He rose to his feet and offered a polite bow. He was, after all, a cultured gentleman schooled in the finest of Elven etiquette. Shame he'd only attended to half the lessons...

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress|:.


Otiorin's response drew the most delightful smile imaginable across the young girl's face. By now her cunning yet mischievous nature had at least in part been revealed, but indeed - from the moment when she poked her pretty head out of that hole in the ground until right now, if there was just one single reaction from her that was wholly true and unguided, free of any manipulation, this was it. The smile had the entirety of her face in it: lips, cheeks, eyes; every fine curve and line that could possibly serve for the task was duly employed. And she looked ever so slightly surprised at that.


Then there was that savvy element in her green eyes again, and combined with everything else Nivirea looked like she was playing a subtle yet enjoyable game with Otiorin. "Why, can't you tell? I've a bit of nymph in me. Obviously!" she clarified, gracefully springing to her feet and doing an elegant little curtsy to match Otiorin's etiquette. "Nivirea na Summerset, ag do sheirbhís." 1


Translation from Sylvan

Spoiler

1 Nivirea of Summerset, at your service.

 

[Purr]

(Spoiler contains location, time, and weather)

Spoiler

Location: Off the Road of Kings, somewhere in Southern Shandra's Evergreen (9 days south of Highwind)


Travel time to Highwind: On day 5 of 14.


Sunday, September 21st, 1118. Time: 12:05 p.m.


Weather: Sunny and slightly breezy.

"Please do try, furry friend.  You'll take years off all our lives if you keep frightening us that way every time Otiorin calls on his heritage!  Besides, not all dragons are enemies, on this side of the world at least."

"Far easier said than done for such as we, my leader.  Besides, this has naught to do with dragons."  Whiskers and furry tail drooping, she turned her head, watching Otiorin with a serious, nearly deathly expression.   "In our land, the eyes of the serpent are a sure sign of hated Set!"  She spat as if the name itself was poison and gave one hell of a scary growl at the very thought of him.  "He is the God of Evil, sworn enemy of all that is good-hearted and true.  Even you.  We 'Kitty-faces' alone are born to kill him and all his fell creations.  Call it an inheritance, but my boy reacted in the way Bast made him to, for I believe such serpentine eyes housed inside a bipedal body can only provoke one reaction from us."  She gave Bren a look that was both one that she hoped he had understood, and while she was not sorry to be what she was, she did not care for the confusion it caused in these parts.  


To Otiorin, she added softly, "If it is not too much to ask, could we ask you to warn us before you change your eyes like that?  It might be the protection that prevents another injury of circumstance."


"But Mom," Powerpaw scratched his head.   "Mebbe if I tries, I kin get useded to its?  Oti-face gets enuff crap fer bein' a half-face."  


She turned to her son with a grave expression.  "And perhaps in the doing so, you give the Setites yet another advantage, however good your intent?  That sign of the eyes might be the only hint you get..."


Powerpaw nodded in agreement with a throaty snarl at the thought of the Yuan-Ti with their sudden and terrible transformations.  "Yah, dats a good point, Mom."


Melshaef snorted.  "Come.  Let us see to Cub and Chomper.  While they hurt and suffer from injury, I blather."  

"We'll be in hearing distance, and Powerpaw can stand in the entrance and keep an eye on us to maintain line of sight."

"I got'cher back, boss-face!  MmmMOAR!"  Powerpaw reached up to his shoulder to draw forth a large-sized maul that was not there.  Noticing this, the big cat gave a sorry, longing sound.   Then, slowly, he drew his spiked shield and one-handed hammer.  His fangs and eyes gleamed sharply as he watched Bren and Melshaef enter into the hole in the earth.

*
​

"I am not anywhere near the same level of skill as the Silent Mage, but I am improving."

Without a sound, the Grand Sorcerer chuckled with great mirth at Luna's words, though the human wizardess and her pseudo-dragoness would have been hard-put as to figure out why.  Truth be told, the Gray Elven adventurer could not remember the last time someone had referred to him as a mere "mage."  He remembered the title well from his early years, and long enough he held it, but those days were dust before anyone present here save Sparkle were born.  Oh, for the days and nights of youth when life was simple and carefree!  


But then the Silent Sorcerer seemed uncomfortable.  He patiently watched Bren descend into this strange hole in the forest.  It was quite the odd feeling not to be by his best friend's side (or more likely, behind him where Bren could best defend him and he could cast without worry).  Still, Shalin was not without his own means.  With his free hand, he reached into his pack with great practice.  Out from his sleeve came a grand, white sparkling orb the size of an ogre's head.  Releasing it, this beautiful ball hovered before him without aid.  Shalin grasped his staff with both hands and sat down, gazing at the mysterious device with what looked like an amused smile.  


"Issss...."  Sparkle's eyes widened as she hissed in quite a draconic fashion.  She asked aloud in great wonder.  "Isss...  Is that a crystal ball?"  Without waiting for an answer, she looked to Luna expectantly.   Inside Luna's mind, she heard Sparkle say in a way that really only a dragon can, Are you going over there to find out?  Because if not, I certainly am!

*
​

As Ranger Bren and Druidess Melshaef descended into the near-darkness, the thick and various smells of earth reached their noses as their feet stepped across natural dirt and stone.  The two of them moved with great ease through that which would have given the average civilized person some deal of difficulty.  Soon, Bren realized he would be entirely without light.  Melshaef, being a cat, seemed to have far less trouble thus far but even she needed light to see.   She also found that she had a question for Bren as they traveled.


"Bren, do you...  have any sworn enemies that you feel you were meant to destroy like my people do?  Some adventurers seek out the wild mantle of Ranger to favor certain enemies in such a way that makes them die of something... other than old age..."  

 

[Kaerri]

Bren Sarabina

Spoiler

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals


Speech color, for reference

As the light faded, Bren drew his battleaxe.  Loosening his grip just slightly, he allowed the haft to slide through his hand until he was gripping the weapon just under the broad head, then held it up and a little to the right, where it wouldn't obscure his vision.  "Look left for a moment, Lady Melshaef, lest you be blinded."  With that, he called upon the battleaxe's magic and brought light to the dark tunnel.  With luck, the unusual stance would reassure Little Cub and her pet that despite the drawn weapon, Bren meant them no harm.


"I do indeed have a foe I have studied above all others, though it's not as personal for me as it seems to be for you and your son, or for some other rangers of my acquaintance.  For me, it is a matter of which type of enemy I felt I needed the extra assistance for, as well as which I was likely to encounter often.  Thus I chose giants, for I spend most of my adventuring time in and around Highwind, and there are many types of giants in this area."  He smiled.  "Though I assure you, I have every intention of reaching old age!  Which is not to say I haven't encountered death from other causes before..."

 

[Purr]

The Felane closed her eyes and turned away as Bren's enchanted axe illuminated the wide shaft with the glow of soft white light.  "My thanks for the warning."

"Though I assure you, I have every intention of reaching old age!  Which is not to say I haven't encountered death from other causes before..."

"Wait, wait, wait..."  Melshaef paused ("pawsed?") and shook her head as if wondering if her ears worked properly.  "You have died before?  What are you doing here if instead you should be in the Happy Hunting Grounds with Mielikki and her heavenly host?  Don't tell me you got bored there and came back!"

 

[Kaerri]

Bren laughed.   "I'd like nothing better than to spend my afterlife there... when it's time.  So far, I haven't felt that it was."  He shook his head, his expression more sober now.  "Twice have I fallen past all healing; once to pure chance and once to... let's call it overconfidence."  He sighed, then smiled up at the furry druidess.  "Fortunately, my party had gained some powerful friends by that point, and were able to request the spells that brought me back to life, as well as those who had likewise fallen.  It came at a cost, of course, but what is gold, and what are favors owed to a good man, when one has tasks left undone?"

 

[Purr]

"Hmm," Melshaef mused.  "And here I was ready to ask you all kinds of questions about Paradise on this side of the world...  Indeed...  Such things are not so straightforward in Rhumia, I'm afraid.  When Anubis or his ilk come to protect you and take you to the Afterlife, you either go with him at your side or you take your chances on your own!"  


Then came a weak but spirited shout from down the tunnel.  "Jeez-Louise!  Hey, Melshaef!  You guys gonna come help a girl out or are you just gonna siddown an' have a chat over a nice cozy campfire?  I've been hit by a Formorian, fer cryin' out loud!  Get'cher kitty buns over here already!!"


"CUB!"  Melshaef jumped in surprise at not only the memory of her earlier howl, but at the sound of her voice here and now.  That jump put her head into the ceiling.  "Rrrr-ow!" she rubbed her head.  Then, Melshaef began to press on toward Cub in such a hasty, motherly way that she nearly fell over Bren.  "Oh, pardon me!"


Bren and Melshaef made it down the rest of the tunnel to Little Cub and Chomper in no time.  There, they looked upon Cub lying down against the biggest forest wolf Bren had ever seen.  Bren had heard stories of Winter Wolves up in the Frozen Reaches, creatures so large and fearsome that they could eat a horse.  So too were the dreaded tales of wargs like the Dire Wolf of Dalsus whom the Wayfaring Wanderers had the misfortune of meeting.  But a forest wolf?  Of this size in this area?  No such creature existed in all of Bren's travels and tales of Monster Lore.  


Yet if the beast who was acting as bed for a human were not strange enough, the young woman resting there was just as unusual, perhaps more.  Dressed in red leather armor with mask with a storm of unruly brunette hair was a young, hardy woman who clearly called the wild home.  Muscled and scarred from many a wilderness romp, the young woman possessed cringe-worthy purple and yellow bruises all along the left side of her body.  One green eye stared back at Bren and Melshaef as the other was swollen shut.  Her left arm dangled almost uselessly at her side.  No warning growls or threats came from either ranger or wolf as they saw Melshaef in Bren's axe-light.  


Melshaef's whiskers and tail shot straight up at the sight of her.  "Oh, blessings and praises upon Beauteous Bastet and Marvelous Mielikki!  Cub!  What happened to you?!  Our good ranger Wolf told us--"


"More blessin's an' praisin' fer healin', please?"


Melshaef face-palmed.  "Oh, I am such a stone-head...  Allow me."  Melshaef reached into the purity and fortitude of her faith and wove mystical movements of magic with paw and the calming, droning incantation of her voice.  She placed her palm on Cub's good right arm and upon contact, Cub gasped.  Yellowness faded into the strong tan of her skin and purpleness cascaded into yellowness.  Large, swollen bruises settled softly in moments instead of weeks.  Melshaef cast a second time and then a third until finally Cub's body was healed and free from all injury.  


With this, Cub's pain was replaced by relief and a soaring of spirit.  She jumped up and gave Melshaef a hug so strong even the Felane felt it despite their differences in stature.  "Thanks, Kitty-Momma!  Yer the greatest!"  Chomper partially rose up and licked Melshaef's paw, her canine tail wagging.


"But what happened to you?"


"Well, you remember a certain tree we can't let the big uglies have, right?  Well, I went back for it.  They almost found it, but Chompy and I got to it first.  An' the ogres?  No problem.  The two Formorians with 'em?  Distracted 'em nicely..."   She snapped her fingers and stomped one red boot into the earth.   "It was the other buncha Formorian goofballs that showed up that got me!  Two, we could handle gettin' away from, but six?  They hit me so hard, we hadda dig in!  But they didn't dare come down here, they learned ta their sorrow - not with me able ta still pull a bow!"  She licked her lips.  "Not longer after that, we ran inta that Nivirea character who came from another openin' in this here little tunnel network.  She's part fae or I'ma drunken gnome!"


Chomper pushed her nose against Cub's thigh.  Cub turned.  "Chompy, you were great, too!"  Cub reached over and ruffled Chomper's fur with both strong hands, communicating rapidly in the language of beasts.  Tongue lolling, Chomper rolled onto her back allowing for belly rubs.  Cub, fresh with new life, granted Chomper's wish, and Chomper's own spirits were lifted seeing that her best friend was healthy and away from Death's door once again.


It was when Chomper had turned and rolled that Bren and Melshaef had seen it...


(Spoiler contains...   "it."  =)

Spoiler

It was about three feet in height and incredibly beautiful, like a force of nature entwined with deep forest magics that were old long before Bren, Melshaef, Chomper, or Cub ever walked Sharseya.  Although it was out of water and soil, it in no way looked diminished.  Instead, there was a vibrant and sure power emanating from it.





(Image credit:  Best Wallpapers)

"Oh my..." Melshaef looked down and smiled fondly in its soft, green radiance.  

 

[Kaerri]

Bren smiled in mixed sympathy and amusement at Melshaef's sudden hurry and its awkward consequences.  He kept up with her haste until they reached their destination, then stepped aside to let the druidess move to her friend's side.  He remained with his back to the wall, keeping an eye on both the little group at this end, and the tunnel they'd traveled down, while also keeping his magic-lit battleaxe raised high.  His eyes widened as he caught sight of the girl's clear injuries, but she seemed much more interested in doing than saying just now, so he stayed quiet for the moment.  He smiled again as this newest acquaintance reacted to the healing magic flowing over her.  Such spells were truly miraculous, no matter how many times he'd seen them cast before.  Then, it seemed the time for talking had come, and he was about to contribute to the conversation when he caught sight of the Tree.  "Forest Lady," he whispered in awe.  "That is your tree, Druidess Melshaef?  Well done in your guarding, Miss Cub and Chomper!"

 

[Purr]

(Spoiler contains lovely Dungeon Master-approved mood music.)

Spoiler

"Come to Me" by Vangelis and Caroline Lavelle (vocals).  Vangelis is my favorite Greek musician.  Music like this of his really makes a scene like this flow, not so much for the words, just for the atmosphere.  Besides, I can imagine if Melshaef were not a Rhumian cat, she might sing like this.  She would certainly tell the tree, "Come to me" while taking it into her arms as if it were a babe.

"Forest Lady," he whispered in awe.  "That is your tree, Druidess Melshaef?  Well done in your guarding, Miss Cub and Chomper!"

"Aye," Melshaef stepped toward it reverently and knelt.  "Though last I beheld it, it was not quite this size..."  Calmly, she picked it up and hugged it.  She closed her eyes and sighed.  Then she turned to Bren.  "Funny how little things like this can change so very much."  


Cub folded her arms.  "I know that tone, Mellie.  Yer thinkin' about tellin' him, aren'tcha?"


"He has earned the right."


Cub pointed at Bren.  "You ain't kiddin'!  The Highwind Rangers been told me all about ol' Count Brendoran Sarabina of Mielikki an' Saint Cuthbert here.  The top dog of Light in the Dark?  The guy who made ol' High Priest Cainus of Erythnul die not once, but twice, an' the second time done all permanent-like?  The same warrior who helped call down Thor, the god of thunder, ta teach vile Vaprak, god of trolls, a hard lesson with a hammer when Vappy was wreckin' alla Shandra's Evergreen east of Highwind?  Guess a gal could say ol' Vappy was 'trollin' the woods.'  Heh."  She punched one fist into her open palm.  "Seriously though - heck yeah, he's earned the right!  Shoot!  A good an' brave fella like you'd make one heckuva paladin if only you could decide upon a single god ta follow!"  She followed this with a sly wink.


"WHARFF!"  Chomper barked once in approval.  Now that Cub was showing her typical eagerness of life, Chomper's big tail wagged and wagged.  


Melshaef stood slowly and looked upon Bren with a gentle stare.  There was a sensational calmness that druids sometimes possessed, like a welcome sun-warmed breeze against naked skin.  Melshaef exhibited this calm now.  "Bren, my leader, my tree is many things but above all it is both a pinnacle of power and a dimensional anchor.  Put simply, if the followers of Vaprak the Destroyer were to put this into the hands of their shamans, they might grasp the knowing that all of Mielikki's pinnacles are entwined like the roots of a tree, and as such, persons of high ability can use them to travel between these pinnacles, say, to Wyldfeather...  or perhaps to a great wellspring like the Wellspring of Change...  or..." she paused to let the importance of her statement sink in, "...directly to Earthome directly inside the city of Highwind."


Cub kicked a stone.  "As if the damned war an' loss of life up there wasn't bad enough, the last thing the Highwindians need is a tribe fulla Formorians suddenly appearin' right smack in the city!  An' that pretty tree right there can do it!"


Melshaef raised a paw.  "Only if the right spells and knowledge are come by, Cub.  Any way you look at it, we stand blessed to have my tree back in my arms.  Had Gerran and his heartless cohorts found this as well as me, I shudder to think what his dark priestess or the Dire Wolf of Dalsus might have done with it."


"The Dalsus Warg we know about, but who's this bum yer callin' Gerran?  Somebody we oughtta know about, Mellie?"


"I will tell you all before we part, Cub.  Your knowing is a matter of duty.  But first, let us be away from this dark hole lest some other excitement come and rear its head."  Melshaef began to slowly stride back to the surface.

*
​

While the spellcasters spoke, Sparkle hopped off of Luna's shoulder and made her way toward the Silent Sorcerer's magical orb that hovered there like an obedient pet.  She was not about to miss out on this spectacle.  As the pseudo-dragon neared, she paused at a respectable distance, and got the Grand Sorcerer's attention with a wave of her wing.  He nodded and waved her over with the warmest of smiles, for while Shalin lacked a voice, he still possessed more charm and presence of a shining diamond.  Sparkle neared and watched the crystal ball with equal silence.  Occasionally, she looked toward the Silent Sorcerer who remained intent upon the ball, his crackling staff radiated a touch of faint light upon his command.

*
​

Meanwhile...  back at the Adventurers' Wagon...  we find Bria, Glider, Stewart, Bonny, Whittle, and the three Killer Mimics all together in a scene of cerebral tranquility and quiet study.


(Spoiler contains scene inside the Adventurers' Wagon full of tranquility and study)

Spoiler

YEEEEEEEEEEEAHH RIGHT!!  The scene is a little closer to this!  =)


"GANGNAM STYLE!!"


"HEEEEEEEEEEEY, SEXY LAAAADY!!"

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

Because life is meant to be enjoyed!  Ha ha ha!  =)







=)

 

[Kaerri]

Bren's face took on a rather embarrassed expression when Little Cub rattled off that list of accomplishments.  It hadn't been just him, after all; he'd just been leading the party that did all that.  He returned her wink with a wry smile despite that, however.  "I don't know about that, Miss Cub.  I've known a few paladins, and they all seemed to have something... well, 'extra.'  I don't feel I have that.  Certainly I don't feel called to such a path, and it seems to me that'd be the first thing I'd need!"


He turned to Melshaef and listened more seriously to what she said.  His eyes widened in surprise and awe, and then narrowed in caution, as he fully grasped her explanation of what the Tree was and what it could do.  "Mielikki keep it safe in your arms, then.  And we'll keep you safe, and it with you.  Lead on, Lady Druidess, and you and your companion follow, if you please, Miss Cub."  He himself took rearguard, in case something from the dark tunnel beyond this meeting place chose to attack.

 

[Purr]

"I don't know about that, Miss Cub.  I've known a few paladins, and they all seemed to have something... well, 'extra.'  I don't feel I have that.  Certainly I don't feel called to such a path, and it seems to me that'd be the first thing I'd need!"

Little Cub stretched her muscled, slightly-scarred arms above her head and seemed quite relieved to be able to do so without pain.  "Just so happens, big fella, my dad's a paladin.  An' y'know what?  He goes around sayin' that he's just bein' himself.  No call.  No thunderbolts from the heavens.  Just dad...  bein' dad."  Cub grinned underneath her red mask.  "Heh.  Who knows?  Mebbe you'll be a first - a paladin of two gods or somethin'.  Or mebbe not.  Sharseya's seen stranger things, I'm bettin'."

"Mielikki keep it safe in your arms, then.  And we'll keep you safe, and it with you."

Mamapaw cradled her tree with such care that it might instead have been a newborn kit.  She smiled in a moment of fond reflection.  "You and the rest of the Wayfaring Wanderers have been taking care of me long before you knew my connection with Mielikki."


Cub looked first to Bren, then up the gentle slope of tunnel path that Bren and Mamapaw had taken.  "That's the name of yer gang?  No more Light in the Dark, huh?  There's a pity but I'm sure you got yer reasons."  With that, she kept her bow close at hand while Chomper watched her.  


The quartet of unusual people, even for Sharseya, continued along until all of them until the surface was near.  It seemed Bren had a wisdom to his thinking when he had Mamapaw who was also Melshaef take the lead, for it was she who was first sighted by her furry, battle-eager son and not someone he didn't know.  


"Oh, hai mom!  Nice magical tree-thingy!"  He sniffed it uncertainly as if he didn't know what to make of it.


"Why, thank you, son."  


As she marched past him, her tree proudly displayed in her paws, Cub and Chomper exited the tunnel and returned to the forest surface with Bren at the rear.  


Cub turned to Bren.  "Waitaminute...  Melshaef...  I thought this form you are wearin' was just yer battle-form?"


"It is, Cublet.  It is also the form I was born into.  Meet Powerpaw, my son."


"Hai!"


Cub was bewildered and Chomper tilted her head in equal confusion.  She waved and stared, looking up at his bestial appearance.  With blood-red eyes, battle-scarred armor, and hammer in hand, he looked every bit the menace.  "Yo there!  Hey, Melshaef, you mean ta tell me...  you ain't human after all?  I mean, I kinda suspected but every druid has their secrets."


"You were the only one that suspected my secrets were more than what is normal for my lifestyle, ever-curious, ever-perceptive Cub.  And yes, we are Kitty-faces, born of Bountiful Bastet.  More than that, I will tell you later."


Cub nodded.  Chomper stepped forward toward Powerpaw.  They took turns sniffing each other's faces.  Powerpaw chuckled but kept his reason silent.


Bren saw Shalin and Sparkle watching the opening as if expecting their arrival.  Shalin grinned and returned his crystal ball to whence it came while Sparkle, with a nod of gratitude to the Grand Sorcerer, spread her wings and flew easily back to rest on Luna's shoulder.  To Luna, she sent, we have got to get one of those...


Then Cub caught sight of Nivirea and waved.  Now, the spirited, leather-clad young woman looked every bit whole and healthy.  Her eyes shone in the sunlight as if glad to see it again.  "Heya, Nivirea!  You sure found us some great help.  Thanks a bunch!"

 

[Kaerri]

Bren Sarabina

Spoiler

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals


Speech color, for reference

Little Cub stretched her muscled, slightly-scarred arms above her head and seemed quite relieved to be able to do so without pain.  "Just so happens, big fella, my dad's a paladin.  An' y'know what?  He goes around sayin' that he's just bein' himself.  No call.  No thunderbolts from the heavens.  Just dad...  bein' dad."  Cub grinned underneath her red mask.  "Heh.  Who knows?  Mebbe you'll be a first - a paladin of two gods or somethin'.  Or mebbe not.  Sharseya's seen stranger things, I'm bettin'."

Bren shrugged amiably.  "Who knows, indeed?"  He grinned at the young woman.

Mamapaw cradled her tree with such care that it might instead have been a newborn kit.  She smiled in a moment of fond reflection.  "You and the rest of the Wayfaring Wanderers have been taking care of me long before you knew my connection with Mielikki."


Cub looked first to Bren, then up the gentle slope of tunnel path that Bren and Mamapaw had taken.  "That's the name of yer gang?  No more Light in the Dark, huh?  There's a pity but I'm sure you got yer reasons."  With that, she kept her bow close at hand while Chomper watched her.  

He smiled at Melshaef.  "You are the mother of our friend; more, you were an innocent soul in need.  How could we not?"


He then turned and nodded to Little Cub.  "Aye, the Light in the Dark went their separate ways.  I took a little break from adventuring myself, but it's too much in my blood to stay retired, it seems.  So, here I am, with a new party and new friends."

Bren saw Shalin and Sparkle watching the opening as if expecting their arrival.  Shalin grinned and returned his crystal ball to whence it came while Sparkle, with a nod of gratitude to the Grand Sorcerer, spread her wings and flew easily back to rest on Luna's shoulder.

On reaching the surface, Bren went to stand next to his old friend.  He smiled and nodded at the crystal ball before it vanished, not entirely surprised to know the elven mage had been keeping an eye on them.  "Are all ready to move on?  We should rejoin the rest of our party as soon as may be.  Would the rest of you care to join us, or have you other destinations in mind?"  He glanced at Nivirea, Little Cub, and Chomper as he asked.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin indicated the mound of looted objects taken from the dead ogres and giant. 


"There's all this to gather up and deal with too, as Master Shalin sees fit of course.", he said, restraining his curiosity at the young woman and her lupine companion.


The talk of returning to the wagon and their companions suddenly made Otiorin's heart quicken. With Wolf gone, he felt an urgent need to see Bria and touch her skin, if only to reassure himself that she too had not vanished away.

 

[Sherwood]

While the others are still in the tunnel, Luna shyly approaches Shalin. "Um, noble Shalin? I have heard so much about you, and how skilled you are in the magic arts. While I know much, I would have to say that your level of ability is far beyond mine. Could I please learn from you what you are willing to teach me? I will gladly share any spell knowledge that I have that you may lack."

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress|:.


The young girl stood at attention, noting the return of Bren and Melshaef. She nodded politely at Little Cub, acknowledging her gratitude but making no reply.


"I would gladly accept your invitation." she said to Bren, all courteous-like. "A party of your size must have quite a camp set up. A bit of comfort wouldn't hurt after days spent traversing these ogre-abounding thickets."

 

[Purr]

"Um, noble Shalin? I have heard so much about you, and how skilled you are in the magic arts. While I know much, I would have to say that your level of ability is far beyond mine. Could I please learn from you what you are willing to teach me? I will gladly share any spell knowledge that I have that you may lack."

The Silent Sorcerer took a moment to examine the young woman before him.  He raised his hand and golden beams of light emanated from them swirling into beautifully-written words in the Common tongue.  He sighed with an expression that asked forgiveness.  "Can the woodpecker teach the warbler how to knock trees?"  He indicated Luna's spellbook then patted his hip where no such book was.  "As it is with you and Nivirea, it is with you and I.  Do pardon me?"  


With the aid of his staff, Shalin strolled to Otiorin's gathering of items.  There, the gray elf mouthed words of complete silence while his nimble fingers wove an easy cantrip.  He gazed upon the collection examining each with great care.  One item after another, he seemed to grow into a single conclusion; one that his heart could not deny.  Upon completing his task, he turned to Melshaef.  A bright and beautiful light briefly flared from his fingertip catching the Felane's attention.  Then he scribed.  "Druidess, your refugees would do well to take these, especially given that each them belonged to Mielikki's people at one time or another."


Melshaef walked over to Shalin with Little Cub and Chomper in tow.  "You would provide them with these treasures?"


Shalin explained in golden letters of sky-writing.  "Bren and I held our weapons high against the Armies of the Black Fang during the days when the Three Rings burned.  Not only is their plight known to us, it is almost personal in its wounding, for there was naught we could do to save those sweet villages.  The refugees I have seen through my crystal eye bear the marks of Royin, Sooyin, and Dalsin."  


There was a kind-hearted glint to the elven sorcerer's eye.  "I cannot return their homes to them, but I can attempt to offer them some sense of relief in the return of these things.  Yea, each is magical, but a sentimental keepsake or dear family treasure holds a special kind of magic to its owner that mere sorcery cannot compete with.  For what spell can compete with love?"  He waved his hand in a welcoming fashion to Melshaef.  "May their presence restore a bit of the heart that the Black Fang tried to burn away."


Melshaef clasped her paws and gave him the biggest smile.  "You have a great heart!"


Shalin waved this off but it was easy to notice that he, too, wore a smile at her words.  For the Silent Sorcerer, it was an easy decision - he had plenty, they had little to none.  


"Hay, uh, silent-face?"  Powerpaw waved.  "What about da ogre-sized stuffs?  What'cha gonna do wif all dis armor?"


Shalin shook his blond head and scribed.  "I have no need of it and I doubt the refugees of the Three Rings could bear it.  Do with it what you will."


"Oooh!"  Powerpaw clapped.  "Tanks!  Bastet bless yer face!  Oh, an' da rest of youse!"  He looked upon the littered large-sized armory with new eyes and scratched his head.  "So much stuff here.  What ta do?"


"Cubble-bubbles," Melshaef called with an amused grin while she laid the magical findings carefully into what for her was a small bag.  "Help me gather these up.  You and I need to share information."  This they did along with Shalin for a time, though they did not cease or change topic if another of the Wayward Wanderers listened in.  


Not long afterward, Melshaef paused and aimed a claw toward a cloaked figure emerging from some nearby shrubs.  The figure was dressed in rich browns and greens with leather boots no civilized tailor had ever touched with a well-crafted recurve shortbow and quiver of arrows that had never been inside city walls.  Her soft footsteps were like the wind across the earth, such was her effortless grace.  Without raising her hood, she came directly forth to Bren and addressed him rapidly and very quietly in Elvish.


(Spoiler contains her words in Elvish to Bren)

Spoiler

"Killaneson, a message from the Voice of the Wood:  'Our ears have heard and our eyes have seen - six great Formorian devils trodding through Ehlonna's forest!  They wreck and maim with each step.'"  She bared her teeth angrily.  "'We of Corellon's blessed blood cannot abide their trespass!'"  Then as quickly as her rage came, it went.  "'The Voice of the Wood has an eye upon them now.  We, the Grugach of the Lost Wood, would bleed, burn, and harry them from Ehlonna's groves until these thickets and rivers were far behind them.  While we yet remain what we are...'"


Her wild Elven features were clean and sharp like an arrowhead.  Her forest-green eyes looked deeply into Bren's own and burned there.  "'We would part now and act alone again as one people against Vaprak's wretches, for you have in your company many who know not our ways.  And yet, we made a pact.  Have we your leave to part and engage?'"  


She waited patiently for his response.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna lets out a quiet sigh of disappointment, but nods in understanding. "Please forgive my presumption of asking, noble Shalin. You are such a legend in our community, I just could not let the opportunity go by without trying. Still, if there is anything I can do for you, it would be my pleasure to help in any way I can."

 

[Kaerri]

Bren Sarabina

Spoiler

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals


Speech color, for reference

Bren smiled, listening and watching the interaction between Melshaef and Shalin.  Such a decision was no surprise to the big human, well acquainted as he was with the Silent Sorcerer.  He started to look over the pile of oversized loot with Powerpaw, but the approach of the wild elf caught his eye and he turned his attention to her instead.  He made his reply in the same language.  "You have, and I thank you.  We came to this place to rescue my friend," he nodded to Shalin, "and we have seen him safe, though by his own doing.  Corellon and Ehlonna be with you in your hunt.  It has been an honor to join as allies with your people."  He offered her a deep bow.

 

[Purr]

Little Cub and Chomper glanced around.  "Grugach?  Here?"  Melshaef nodded while Powerpaw pawed through the arms and armor of the fallen ogres in search of goodies.

He made his reply in the same language.  "You have, and I thank you.  We came to this place to rescue my friend," he nodded to Shalin, "and we have seen him safe, though by his own doing.  Corellon and Ehlonna be with you in your hunt.  It has been an honor to join as allies with your people."  He offered her a deep bow.

It is a rare thing to see a Grugach smile to a non-Grugach, but it can happen.  Now is one such time.  The forest lady, pleased with Bren's words, returned a rare bow of her own and in the way of her people, she kept her thoughts to herself as she made purposely away from Bren...


... and toward the half-elf, Otiorin.  There, she strode like a phantom until she was no more than a dagger's throw away from him.  There, she paused and stared at him with a statue-like stillness that only the truest of hunters possesses.  After what felt like a long moment, she reached behind waist without taking her eyes from him.  From there, under her brown cloak and over her shapely leather armor, she withdrew a slim green and soft brown item about the size of a short sword.  With an underhanded toss, she let the thing fly toward Otiorin for him to catch or let it fall as he would.  


Then she mouthed words in Elvish to him.


(Spoiler in Elvish)

Spoiler

"From the Voice of the Wood."

There before Otiorin was a fine sheath made from what enchanted creature's hide he could not tell.  It was hand-stitched and lovingly-adorned with the unmistakable symbol of the crescent moon.  


"By Mielikki's mammaries!" Cub swore.  "There's somethin' that's probably never happened in my lifetime - a Grugach givin' a gift to a half-elf!" 


Cub slipped onto Chomper's back.  "HEY!" she barked eagerly at the Grugach.  The wild elf turned.  In Elvish as provided as only Cub can, she asked.


(Spoiler in Elvish)


"I owe those Formorian bums some good old-fashioned Ranger payback!  What's a girl an' wolf gotta do ta run with ya ta make it happen?"


The wild elf gazed at Little Cub as if she were an alien being.  And yet, there was something infectious to Cub's eagerness; she possessed a wild and lively spirit that transcended racial and cultural boundaries.


The Grugach grinned at her and replied.  


(Spoiler in Elvish)

Spoiler

"Keep up and keep silent."

Then the wild elf was a flash through the forest, quick like a darting fox and gone.


Cub took the hint and smiled widely, glad for the opportunity to run with those few who were closer to the woods than she and her Mielikkian Wolf.  She patted Chomper and gazed once more at the Wayward Wanderers and Shalin.  As Chomper bolted away, Cub, ever the free-hearted youth, gave them all a big thumbs-up with an expression that seemed to say, "See ya when I see ya!"


Then she too was gone into Shandra's Evergreen and into a destiny only those who adventure ever come to know.


As Shalin the Silent Sorcerer fondly watched them go, he leaned on his staff and scribed.  "May the fires of good-hearted youth ever burn brightly."   Then he turned to Bren.  "Shall we put behind this sorry scene of rotting giants and roam toward cheerier realms?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Spoiler

HP: 56


Spells per day(1st:2nd)/remaining(1st:2nd): 4:3


Spells available: Daze, Detect Magic, Ghost Sounds, Open/Close, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, Gravity Bow, Shield, Summon Monster 1, Mage Armor, Ice Slick


Active effects: Mage Armor, Shield

Otiorin deftly caught the scabbard and marveled at it's light but sturdy materials as well as it's crafty construction.


"To the Voice in the Woods, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.", he responded in the winding tongue of Elvenkind, "And to you, Fair Lady of the Forest, my gratitude also for bearing his gift hence. I shall not renege on my oath to you, I shall seek out this maleficent Half-Elf and I shall bring them to justice whether it be that of mortals, or the gods of the Underworld."


He pressed the scabbard to his chest and knelt down, head bowed, in a moment of graciousness at the passage of the Grugach. Then he rose and started gathering up fallen acorns and sycamore spinners that littered the forest floor. Once he'd gathered a fair handful, he began thrusting them into the ground near the fallen giantkin.


"These creatures sought to desecrate Shandra's Evergreen with ruthless violence and destructive fire. I find it ironic that, in death, they shall aid the forest's recovery. With this, I honor the pact between The Wayward Wanderers and Skaagenrackner, the Ancient One.", he said loudly to any who cared to listen, then strolled over to where Bren and Saberfang awaited.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna strolls over to where Bren and Otiorin are standing. "So, what is our next step?"

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Scorching Ray x3, Protection From Arrows


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout


Extended Mage Armor in effect until 1 am

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

.:|Nivirea Varelys - The Sorceress|:.


The nymph-hearted girl added no words of her own to those closing moments, but remained highly observant. She stood just near enough Bren and the others to make it obvious she was in their company, idly twining a lock of her long black hair with the fingers of her right hand. She viewed the interactions of the cat-folk with unhidden interest and produced a cute puff of a chuckle at Otiorin's exchange with the elf lady. She did not have to voice her own eagerness to leave; it could be glimpsed in the sort of tired impatientness that she held herself with, the skittering of her green eyes from one Wanderer to the other.

 

[Kaerri]

Bren Sarabina

Spoiler

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals


Speech color, for reference

Bren was clearly as surprised as Little Cub when the wild elf tossed the sheath to Otiorin, and for the same reasons.  Equally clearly, he was as much pleased as surprised.


He waved back to the impetuously-departing young ranger lass as she followed the grugach off into the woods, and called after them in Elvish (since Cub seemed to know it, and he didn't know if the grugach knew Common -- likely not), "Be careful, all of you!"  Turning to Melshaef, he asked with a wry smile, "Is she always so ... spontaneous?"  He meant it rather rhetorically, but listened to whatever answer the lady Felane gave, while nodding in approval at Otiorin's actions.


Then he looked at Shalin and smiled.  "Our business here seems done.  Are you able to return us to where we were, or to where the rest of our party awaits?  My mind is open to you, if that will help."

 

[Purr]

"Be careful, all of you!"  Turning to Melshaef, he asked with a wry smile, "Is she always so ... spontaneous?"  He meant it rather rhetorically, but listened to whatever answer the lady Felane gave, while nodding in approval at Otiorin's actions.

Melshaef nodded affectionately as she watched them go.  "Aye...  Aye, she is.  It concerned me at first, but now?"  She looked on.  "Now it is just another one of her charms."

Then he looked at Shalin and smiled.  "Our business here seems done.  Are you able to return us to where we were, or to where the rest of our party awaits?  My mind is open to you, if that will help."

Shalin smiled with a hint of curiosity. "Where you were?  Would that I knew where that was.  As for where the rest of your party awaits..."  The Silent Sorcerer thought a moment and in doing so, he soundlessly gasped in a way that showed a bright moment of discovery.  "If I were to find your party...  I would look for Star, who would not be far from you if he had a choice in the matter, nor you him, since it appears you left Summerset with him.  I know this, having visited the Sarabina Estate since your return to the adventuring life."


"Now then," the Grand Sorcerer scribed as he drew again his crystal ball from his sleeve, "I can Teleport all of us to whatever destination I can remember or see in my crystal ball.  Whence would you fly?  I would take us there."