En Dharasha Everae RP thread

[Displacer]

They reached the overgrown Temple within the Ardeep. The the deep brush cut back from it in places to reveal wooden scaffolding and empty tents, the remnants of human excavators. The carriage stops before the large marble doors. Andariel looked up at the temple, "So, this is your charge Cormiira?", he says to the silent priestess. "A real fixer upper I see....", he states sarcastically with a playful grin. He hefts the priestess up from the straw of the carriage gently, his strong arms and back easily accommodating her light weight. He then stumbles taking the first step off the carriage onto the forest floor. "Whooop...", he exclaims before finishing with a laugh, "that would not have been good!".

"Rangers, would you do the honors of opening these doors and let us get the priestess inside safely shall we?", he both asks and commands the Dharashan Rangers present. The road had been a long one and not without its peril. Hobgoblin and human banditry signs had alerted the wood elven rangers to detour their route. Still, the Cormiira was home and Andariel would help begin preparations to help bring Corellon's grace back to her from within the divine sanctity of the All Father's own Temple. When the others have dealt with the shadows looming now in the Dharashan village to the south, they will join Luthien, Andariel and the Rangers to aid in bringing Luthien, this Temple and Corellon back to their magnificence here in the ancient forest of the Ardeep.......

[mireigi]

Fhaeo was sitting on a bench, legs crossed and his back leaned against the base of the wooden home they shared. Flowers were blooming all around him, their scent strong, but not invasive. Bees and butterflies were hovering above a flowerbed, tending to their daily tasks in their simple lives. Two birds were playing a game of tag, chasing eachother among the treetops, while other birds were chirping in excitement or joy, it was impossible for him to tell even with his basic understanding of animal sounds.

The tranquil moment was broken by a child's laugh as a young elven girl came running out the door of the home. "I will get you for that!" came a second voice, a boys voice, followed soon after by the young boy, covered in flour, chasing his twin sister. "Those two are just as much trouble as you were in the past," a woman's voice sounded beside him as she leaned against the doorframe. "Or at least she is," Raven, for it was her, his love and wife, added with a laugh. "Mmm. Their mother certainly was a bit of a troublemaker too," he replied, a big grin on his face. She smiled to him and walked past him to sit near him on the other end of the bench. Hands covered in flour, she wrapped her arms around his shoulder and chest, leaning against him, smiling happily. He smiled as well as he wrapped one arm around her, holding her close.

Together they sat in silence, enjoying eachother's company and the view of the tranquil garden in which their home had been grown. Deacon, one of their closest friends, had taken an acorn from the Father Tree and planted it in the fertile soil. With his druidic powers, he had spoken to the acorn, asked it to grow as he wanted it to, based on the description Fhaeo and Raven had given him. The acorn had answered and in less than five days, it had grown and twisted itself to become a home, complete with a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, a study, and a small storage room for food. It was magnificent. Even Fhaeo and Raven had not imagined how beautiful their new home would be, but seeing it now, they were overwhelmed and thanked Deacon, inviting him to visit as often as he liked. It had been three years ago, when the twins were both three years old and had just started to walk on their own, and seven years since Fhaeo and Raven had been married.

Life was perfect for Fhaeo just then. He was still Aegis of Dharasha, though there weren't much use for him in the daily life of the village these days. Five years ago the last of the orcs had been driven from the Misty Forest by a concerted effort between the Dharasha and Doron Amar. The war had been long and bloody, lasting many months with losses on both sides, but in the end, the elves had prevailed. With the Misty Forest cleansed of the orcish presence, Dharasha had expanded its borders, growing in both size and strength. It was in some of this reclaimed land that Fhaeo and Raven now made their home. It was well within Dharashan borders, but it was also nearly seven hundred feet from the main village. "I love you." Fhaeo whispered to Raven as he leaned in to gently kiss her.

Their tender moment was broken off when the twins came walking back, escorted by Lady Ele. From the looks of it, the twins had somehow found some more flour to throw at eachother, both of them covered from head to toe in the white dust. "I swear, Fhaeo! These two are more trouble than you ever were!" Lady Ele said with a small laugh as she came to a halt in front of the bench. "I told you." Raven said with a snicker as she gently nudged Fhaeo in the side with her elbow. "Can you take them, Raven? I need to talk with Fhaeo. Alone." Lady Ele said as she gently showed the twins towards Raven. "Oh, of course. They are mine afterall." Raven replied with a wink as she disentangled herself from Fhaeo's embrace and led the twins inside to get cleaned up.

"What can I do for you, Lady Ele?" Fhaeo asked when they were alone. Lady Ele motioned for him to follow her, and so he did, wondering what might be on her mind. Together they walked back to the village, then through it, never stopping until they found themselves in front of the portal stones. "You do not belong here. Not yet." Lady Ele said, looking him in the eyes, determination and sadness showing in her gaze. "What do you mean?" Fhaeo asked, taken aback by the words. "I live here. This is my home." Lady Ele looked at him and sighed, lightly shaking her head. "You do not belong here. Not yet. You are in your afterlife, the afterlife you have created for yourself." She held up a hand as he started to protest. "You died on your way back to the village. You never made it to your own wedding, Fhaeo. None of this is real." He looked at her in dumb amazement, anger growing within him. "You are wrong! This is where I belong. All of this is real!"

She grabbed him by the arm then, turning him around to look out over the village. "Tell me then, Fhaeo. If this is real, then where are all the others, hmm? Where are Luthien, Shynt, Ithilwen, Andariel, Deacon and all the rest? Where are they!?" He opened his mouth to reply, but found himself at a loss for words. She was right! The village was completely empty, but it shouldn't have been. "You are not meant for this place, Fhaeo. Not yet. There is still need for you in Dharasha. Raven waits for you to return to us so we can get you well again and married." He looked around at the empty village, slowly nodding. She was right afterall. The village should not be empty. "W-What do I do?" he tentatively asked as his gaze settled on Lady Ele again. "Take my hand and step through the portal with me. You will not remember any of this when you wake, but Raven will be there to greet you."

Slowly, with a lot of resignation, Fhaeo took Lady Ele's hand and turned for the portal. He only managed one step before a sound from behind made him freeze in place, his heart skipping a beat. "Fhaeo? Love? Where are you going?" it was Raven's voice, "Are you leaving us?" she asked. He dared not turn around to look at her, but the next voice that spoke, gripped his heart in a vice. "Mommy? Where is daddy going?" the young girl asked, held close to Raven's side, the young boy at the other side. Fhaeo turned around then and his heart sank, tears streaming down his cheeks as he looked at his family. "Daddy is not going anywhere." he found himself saying with a trembling voice, and taking a step forward. "No, Fhaeo! You must step through the portal!" Lady Ele implored as she put a hand on Fhaeo's shoulder, holding him back. "It is not your time yet."

He felt as if split in two as he looked from his family to Lady Ele and back again. He didn't know what to do. How could he leave behind his family like this? Deep down he knew that Lady Ele was right, but his heart was bleeding and holding him back now that his family was there. "Love?" Raven asked him, her own voice dripping with sadness and fear of losing him. He stepped forward then and knelt down in front of Raven, taking both of his children in his embrace, hugging them tightly to him and kissing their foreheads. Then he stood up and gave Raven a lover's embrace while passionately kissing her. Reluctantly he broke off the kiss and looked at her through teary eyes. "I ... I am s-sorry." he stammered out and slowly backed away, one painfully heartwrenching step at a time. As he passed Lady Ele, she took his hand. "W-What? Fhaeo!? No! Do not leave me!" he heard Raven cry out, her eyes in tears, just before he stepped into the portal. The last sound he heard as the portal's magic triggered were of his children, the twins, calling out to him "Daddy!!"

He awoke then in the shrine to Rillifane Rallathil. Everything he had experienced in his afterlife faded from his memory. Everything but that last cry from Raven. He didn't know how or why he remembered it. He didn't even know the context of it, but he remembered the desperate plea in the words, the saddened cry of loss. He looked up at Lady Ele, kneeling over him, a warm smile on her lips. "Welcome back, Fhaeo!" she exclaimed, filled with joy. He looked at her, winching as his sore body slowly responded to his movements as he tried to sit up. "No. Stay still. You need to rest." she said to him. Nodding, he did as told and remained still. "Whe-Where is Raven?" he asked with a hoarse voice before exhaustion claimed him and he slipped into a troubled sleep. He was alive, but at what cost?

[TheKai]

Stand strong Dharasha!
Like the mighty oaks that soar,
More trouble has come,
Let it hear us roar!

No bandit, nor shade,
Can quell our light,
Stand strong Dharasha!
We will win this fight!

Draw strength from the forest,
And from the beast within,
Stand strong Dharasha!
Our faith will win!

With steel and spell,
We brave our path,
Stand strong Dharasha!
Let them feel our wrath!

Our ranger’s guidance,
Our mages’ mind,
Stand tall Dharasha!
Our goal we’ll bind!

The Seldarine is with us,
Grab your bows,
Stand strong Dharasha!
Let’s fell our foes!

No matter what comes,
Together, we answer the call,
Stand strong Dharasha!
Together, we stand tall!

-Penned by the elf Kaienrai, sitting within the Misty Forest, after leaving Fhaeo's side in the Temple.

[mireigi]

He awoke again. Where was he? He couldn't tell yet, his eyes still adjusting to the ever-present light shining from some unidentifiable source inside the structure that housed the shrine to Rillifane Rallathil. Blinking his eyes a few times, he finally managed to adjust his sight and could see where he was. He was at the village shrine, he recognized that now. He was also alone. He wouldn't have thought he would be alone, not given what had happened. The thought made him pause. What exactly had happened?

As he pondered that question, he slowly turned his head to get his bearings, to better see if there was any sign of recent activity at the shrine. He could see a few items up on the altar beside him, and a few on the table at the far end of the room. A burning candle was also on the table, by the looks of it, it would only hold light for another hour or so before the wax would have melted away completely. Whomever had lit it, had forgotten to put it out again, or had expected to be back before it burned out. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what had happened; what had brought him to the shrine.

"Fhaeo!? No! Do not leave me!" the words hit him like a hammer the moment his eyes closed. So powerful was the memory of that desperate plea, so real was the sensation of sadness in the voice, that he jolted up into a sitting position. "Raven!" he cried out, looking all around for her, but she wasn't there. With a sigh, he exhaled a heavy breath and rested his head in his hands, looking down at the wooden floor. Only then did he notice that he was covered in sweat and his breathing ragged. Strange that he was so warm! He had only just closed his eyes for a moment, he thought as he cast a look all around him again. His eyes settled on the candle on the far table. It had burned out completely! How was that possible!? Have I slept for an hour or more?

He needed to get some answers. With great effort he pushed himself off the wooden floor, every muscle in his body screaming out in protest. With a hissing groan and gritted teeth, he managed to get up on his knees and, with one last determined effort, onto his feet. He placed his hand on the altar to steady himself as he took another look at the room, feeling a little dizzy. "Come on, Fhaeo. You can do this. Just take one step at a time," he said out loud to himself. Taking a deep breath, he leaned against the wall on his right, steadying himself with one hand, and took the first step. So far so good. Keep going, he thought as he willed himself forward, one step at a time, stopping every four or five steps to catch his breath. It felt like an eternity, but finally he reached the door leading out of the shrine. In reality it had taken him less than two minutes, but it felt like half a day of hard manual labor. He reached for the doors and pushed them open, leaning on the doorframe for support.

It was night outside, and it was raining. A chill summer wind blew against him as air rushed in through the opened doors. He shivered in the wind. Why did the wind feel so cold? He thought as he walked out on the platform. This is a summer wind! Even with the rain it should feel warm. Unless of course he had slept for two seasons!? The thought troubled him deeply and he looked up at the sky to judge the time of year by the color of the canopies. The rain was too heavy and he couldn't get any sign as to the time of year. With the bad wheather, he decided he might as well wait inside where it was dry, and turned around, slowly making his way inside again. He stopped at the doorframe and looked out over the village again, closing his eyes with a tired sigh.

"Do not leave me!" the words echoed in his mind again as lightning split the sky and thunder followed, as if putting sound and effect to the emotional hit the words had caused. "Raaaven!" he cried out, trying to make his voice heard over the heavy downpour of rain and cracks of thunder in the distance. How long had he been out this time?! He wondered as he wrapped his arms around his body for warmth and comfort. He had only closed his eyes for a moment, but at least ten minutes must have passed while he was blacked out. He didn't know what drove him to do so just then, but he stepped away from the doors and slowly made his way to the winding staircase leading down to the forest floor below.

He stepped out into the heavy rain, instantly getting soaked to his core. Even his bones felt wet! Lightning split the sky once more, casting the entire village in an otherworldly light. The rumbling thunder momentarily deafened out the sound of the heavy rain splattering on the slick forest floor. With slow steps he walked out into the village, searching for his love. "Raaaven!" he cried out again and again as he made his way through the village. Everyone was inside, seeking shelter from the storm. Even the rangers guarding the interior of the village, on the northern side of the stream flowing through, seemed to have moved inside for shelter. Not once did it occur to him to go inside to seek out Raven, or to take shelter. Instead he walked aimlessly through the village, calling out her name. "Raaaven!" came the desperate cry, again and again.

[TheKai]

Lo’ and behold!
The time draws near,
To breach the darkness,
Show no sign of fear!

Into the swirling shadows,
The elves will roam,
To find our brother,
And bring him home.

So string your bows,
And sharpen your swords,
Let the mighty mages,
Prepare our wards.

Lo’ and behold!
The time draws near,
To breach the darkness,
Show no sign of fear!

A place of horror,
Where nightmares are born,
The shadows so fell,
Where there is no morn.

A land of dread,
A land of bleak gloom,
They know not yet,
But Dharasha brings doom.

For lo and behold!
The time draws near,
To breach the darkness,
Show no sign of fear!

Dharasha’s best,
Enter this fight,
To face the perils,
With our own light.

We will not falter,
We will not fail,
The shadows will tremble,
For we seek Kael!

-Penned by the elf Kaienrai on a number of parchments and handed to the runners to spread word around the village of the Misty Forest.

[TheKai]

Following his latest writing, Kaienrai can be seen in reverie under the stars in a clear glade within the Misty Forest Village. He has been taking reverie quite a bit lately, more so than normal for any Tel'Quessir. One would think he is being drawn to it by something.

[mireigi]

"Raaaven!!" he called out, his throat raw from shouting her name over and over again. The storm was still blowing strong, heavy rain pouring down from the heavens, making the ground beneath his feet a slippery mess of mud and grass. The roar of the falling rain was occasionally deafened out by the crash of thunder splitting the nightsky somewhere above the canopy. He could barely see more than a dozen feet in front of him as he walked through the village, too absorbed in his depressed search for his love to notice he was getting cold. He didn't know for how long he had been walking and calling out her name, nor did he particularly care.

He turned right at the huts, as he had done so many times before already, having subconciously fallen into a patrol pattern. So absorbed was he in his depressed state that he didn't notice the figure sitting on the bench, perhaps twenty feet to his right. It was dark and rainy, it was impossible to see very far and no one would be out this late anyway, he knew that, but Raven was out here somewhere. He knew that too. So he continued on, dismissing the faint outline of the figure on the bench. "Raaaven!" he cried out again, the wind carrying his voice away from the bench, and the roaring rain swallowing the sound like a dry sponge sucking up water.

She was sitting on the bench, having walked there after stepping through the portal, bow slung over her shoulder, black hair plastered to her smooth skin. Everything she wore was soaked and she could feel the wet, cold clothes clinging to her delicate frame. Reality had finally returned to her after a long vengeful hunt of bandits, bugbears, orcs and everything else she felt was responsible for his death. All she had left of him, she carried in her womb now. The two unborn twins growing within her. She couldn't risk them. Couldn't risk losing the last physical bond she had to him.

She knew she should go to the tavern or the home they had shared, but she didn't want to be overwhelmed by memories of him by going to their home. Nor did she want the others to see her in her sadness. So she sat on the bench, without a care for the heavy rain, staring across the stream, towards the portal stones. Her back was turned to him as he passed by her. He hadn't noticed her and neither had she noticed him. "We're home but alone. Its just us now. Not to worry, mummy will take care of you," she muttered, while looking down at her hand rubbing her belly.

He continued his slow walk through the village, occasionally calling out her name, not knowing how close she were. He rounded the huts again and continued past the spot where she was sitting on the bench. "Raaaven!" he called out again. Just then the wind shifted and carried his voice towards the bench. He couldn't see it, but the figure on the bench sat up straighter and looked around.

She looked over her shoulder in the direction of the voice she had heard. "F.Fh..Fhaeo!!!" she called out, thinking she had heard his voice. She peered through the thick curtain of rain, seeing a figure standing only a few paces away. "Fhaeo?" she spoke more softly as she sensed something familiar about the figure. Her eyes widened as recognition dawned upon her. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Now im seeing ghosts," she whispered in disbelief. He was dead! She had seen his body! But here he were, alive! How was that possible!?

Wrapping his arms around his body for warmth, futilely attempting to shield himself from the wind, he looked on the ground ahead of him. He took a deep breath and started to put one foot in front of the other, calling out her name again. "Raav--!" the sound died on his tongue as he heard her call out to him from somewhere nearby. He couldn't see where she were, but he had heard her voice, he was certain of it!

It WAS him! She didn't know how, but he was alive! "FHAEO!!" she jumped up from the bench and ran towards him, nearly slipping on the slick ground. He saw her too then. Exhausted and relieved, standing in place, he turned towards her and sank to his knees. "RAVEN!!" Rain and mud splattered around him as his knees sank inch-deep into the ground. He held his arms out wide as she almost crashed into him. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he rested his head against her belly and held his arms around her waist. "I will not leave you ever again," he cried out between heavy sobs, nuzzling his cheek against her belly.

"Is it really you!?" she asked in a trembling voice as she held her hands behind his head, holding him against her belly. "This cant be... can it?" she asked in disbelief as her fingers moved through his rain-soaked hair. "Are you real?" her hands moved down to his shoulders and upper back, feeling him, but not believing what her senses told her. "But..but.. i saw you dead," she stammered out as her hands continued to feel him, her voice starting to break. "I tried to save you.. I couldn't." She started to cry as her hands moved up behind his head again, holding him tight against her belly, never intending to let go again.

The rain was still pouring down all around them, droplets of muddy water bouncing back into the air as the rain struck the ground with relentless fury. Lightning continued to split the sky somewhere above the canopy, the crack of thunder deafening out the roaring rain. Neither of them cared just then. The world could have been falling apart around them and they wouldn't have paid it any heed. They were together again. That was all that mattered.

"I .. I think I was dead .. But Lady Ele brought me back," he muttered out through his sobs. "Lady Ele?" a look of confusion and a flash of anger passes on her face. "We.. we brought you back, but.. the... the gods.." she clenched her fists, "No one could be found" her voice erratic. "Fhaeo," she smiled, "my Fhaeo..." she continued and put hands on her belly "Our Fhaeo," she corrected herself and smiled the first honest smile in a long time. "She was there when I woke up," he began to explain, but stopped and looked up at her, his vision blurred by tears, "It does not matter . . We are together now."

"Is it real, my love?" she dared ask again, moving her hands behind his head to hold him close, still not knowing if her mind was playing tricks on her, afraid to embrace him fully in case he might disappear before her eyes. "I am s-sorry .." he stammered out as she held on to him "I will not leave you again." Her fingers moved through his hair, lightly caressing and feeling him still. "When you didn't show up for our wedding... I thought.. well.. I want sure .." she bit her lip to stop the unpleasant thoughts that she new to be unfounded. "Ohh Fhaeo, do I dare hope.. is it really you?" she hugged him tightly not letting go "It feels real" she smiled as she nuzzled against him.

As if to answer her question, he looked up into her eyes, his vision still blurred by tears. Moving his hands up, he gently grabbed hold of her arms and slowly pulled her down to sit in front of him, never taking his eyes off hers. He smiled to her for a moment before leaning forward to press a passionate kiss to her lips. Hoping what was happening was real and not her imagination at work, Raven leaned in to meet his lips with hers. The moment their lips touched, she knew. He WAS real! Overwhelmed by emotion, she threw herself forward, pushing him on his back, muddy water splashing up around them as he crashed onto the ground. With a fierce passion she kissed him until she was out of breath, and even then feeling reluctant to break it off.

She stayed with him on from the ground after their kiss broke, feeling at peace once more, overjoyed that he wasn't lost to her as she had thought. She felt so happy, laying on top of him and seeing the warm smile on his lips as he looked up at her. Both of them covered in mud, they rose from the ground soon after and walked, hand in hand, for the home they shared, not to be seen again before the sun had passed midday the following day. No one had been out that night to see their happy reunion, save for a large wolf who had thought its master and friend lost. It would not disturb him when he was with his mate, but followed them to their home. When they went inside, it disappeared into the woods again. Soon after the happy howl of a wolf could be heard echoing through the forest, not even the roaring rain able to keep the sound from being heard far and wide.

[Invoker]

The Dark Master of the Shadow Tower

He watched outside the window towards the Shadow Forest, and beyond, the city itself. The beast's dark heart...its domain. This tower was the last one standing of an entire complex, a sanctuary against darkness. And he, its self appointed master. He had claimed it as his own in one of the hardest spell battles he had ever fought in more than 350 years.
The tentacled creature was powerful. And now, also dead. It was dead because of its power, paradoxically: it could weave faster than any mortal could, even faster than an Archmage of his power, and it knew it...this made it overconfident. He could still savor the shock in its eyes when he finally stopped its heart with his ability, faster than any weave could ever be.

Overconfidence had defeated the Phaerimm, or whatever it was...just as it had defeated him in his last meeting with the Nightwalker's minions. Before his death at the hand of the Trickster's , he had always been careful. Always prepared, never an unnecessary risk taken. He was already very powerful, but also well aware of his limits. After his demise, however, his abilities had grown exponentially...but so had his carelessness. This time, he barely survived...and he had no intention to give his enemies a second chance.

He turned around and walked towards his desk, almost invisible in the semi-obscurity of the room. Once there, his gloved fingers ran on the tormented souls engraved in his new grimoire. The Master of the Shadow Tower...but what of his kin? The marriage of Fhaeo and Raven had certainly been a wondrous ceremony...of course, if Fhaeo did not get himself killed without him to watch his back...He chuckled at the foolish thought that someone could actually best his brother in battle.

No, they would be fine...Mendel, Celundel, Fhaeo, Luthien, Elethineth, Kaienrai, Andariel...Ithilwen...they could outsmart and defeat any foe, and watch over the other members of Dharasha even without him. Perhaps, it was a good thing for old Kael to be in the Shadow Plane...he should have been dead, anyway...Why had he come back?

He lowered his gaze on his right hand, the one which could feel no longer. He had inadvertantly crushed the crystal vial he was holding. Why? Why did he come back? Why undergo the things he had...do the things he forced himself to do...when he could just stay in Arvandor? An eminent Archmage with more High Arcana than possibly anyone else alive, a loremaster like him, with all his knowledge could not answer this one, simple question. Or maybe he could, and he just did not want to...

He smiled enigmatically, and wondered how she was, and if she was thinking about him. He wondered if she still would, knowing the truth...
An inferno of flames consumed the moldy furnitures on the far side of the room, burning them to a cinder in mere instants. Clutching the Netherese Scroll in his left hand, Archmage Kael of the fallen Kalinor, Revenant defender of Dharasha and Master of the Shadow Tower hissed under his mask: "You are next, Shovotar. Now, I know who you are, what your are and how to make sure you cease to be a problem. The game has changed..."

[TheKai]

Kaienrai slowly makes his way around the misty forest village, offering a friendly smile here and there to those he passes. The children he entertains with harmless flares of magic or little trinket toys he brings from his journeys and the adults he serenades with a poem or some news of the southern N’Tel’Quessir.

He helps the rangers build traps and gather materials for camouflage tactics and goes to trade stories with the wild elves and thoroughly entertain them with antics and tricks.

He goes to the warriors of the village and helps them repair their weapons or armor as much as he is able to, even if it is simply taking out the waste for the day.

He assists the priesthood of the Seldarine by wrapping bandage bundles, using herbs in mortar for salves and potions, and spends time in the temple and outside it, paying homage to the Seldarine.

He gets direction from the druids and mystics on what herbs are needed for this stew or that potion, which plantlife should be cleared and what animals he should hunt, though he was never fond of such.

He does this not for greed but for community. He does this not for one home but for the many homes in the village. He does this not for self but for many.

He does this because he is Dharasha.

[Caleb]

IX: Vengeance

"Morsel! Little hairy Elfling mothered by Fey!" Cried the indiscriminate Orc: "You ahnr! Nohhapho! Destroy it! Kill it! Attack! Raaaghh!" The gluttenous Orc master raged at his stocky kinsman that stood to the right of Deacon, while motioning wildly to where Deacon were standing - pointing with a fat finger and sharp yellowed talon: "There! Destroy it. Kill!"
The stocky Orc obeyed and raised its crude axe overhead - it was composed of a thick branch tied to a large wedge of jagged flintstone - and charged at Deacon. The Orc looked disgusting (even for an Orc) as it was misshapen and covered in large lumps, growths and thick course hair. It also looked really, really powerful - with muscles as large as Deacon's whole physique.
The Orc leaped forward and threw itself in the air, soaring down to where Deacon was standing. As the Orc's shadow began to engulf Deacon's vicinity, the little mage raised up his staff and spoke a few words in some ancient tongue. A bright light came from the tip of his staff and the Orc turned grey. First its tufts of hair. Then its skin. And then, as the Orc was still soaring through the air, cracks appeared all over its now grey body. The Orc had been transformed into a statue - And shattered into numerous pieces as it finally hit the ground.



CRASH!

Having dodged the falling Orc, Deacon now stood several meters closer to the gluttenous Orc leader. It wasted no time in its assault. The Orc threw a javelin at Deacon and nearly missed - Deacon was pinned down to the ground as the tip of the javelin had pierced the long tail of his robe, connecting it with the earth.
The Orc moved in on its prey. "Haharh! Little squirming worm. Murkilar has you now!" The Orc spoke in delight as it kicked away Deacon's staff and began to approach the little bearded fellow. Nibbles and Fluff threw themselves at the Orc, but the back of the monster's hand quickly sent them flying through the air.
For a moment, the forest appeared to hold its breath. No birds could be heard and even the sky above seemed to grow silent, as its thunderclouds had moved on south. Were anyone to pass by, all they'd hear would be the quiet creaking of old Mumblebark's branches and the heavy snorting of the Orc. That silence quickly got cut short. A sudden roar filled the clearing as a one-eyed creature burst out from the undergrowth - it was the spindly Orc that had attacked Deacon earlier during the battle. The wounded Orc ran for its spear and quickly retrieved it. Then it charged on, holding the spear out infront of itself. It rapidly closed the distance to where Deacon lay helpless on the ground. Its face had a determined look, one that called for revenge.
The Orc sprinted forth and closed the distance instantly. Another shriek escaped its lips; A scream so shrill it would cause one to unwillingly cover their ears. The one-eyed Orc jabbed its spear forward with one lethal thrust from its long spindly arms. The spear pierced the flesh of its victim.
Deacon's eyes widened and observed in surprise as it wasn't him that were the target of this attack. Instead the one-eyed Orc found its mark in Murkilar, the fat leader of the bunch. Years of torment and belittlement must have lead up to this moment. The portly Orc master fell to the ground, the spear having skewered its rotund and corpulent gut. "Free... I is free! At last... at last!" Cried the spindly Orc. Then it ran off, back into the dark cover of the forest.

Deacon fell back and exhaled slowly. "Pfffffhhh!"

[mrm3ntalist]

Elven Rangers of Misty Forest notice a tall figure of Faer'andil entering the woods. Obviously, the sun elf has no illusions that he would pass unnoticed and carries himself with relaxed and peaceful manner. He seems to be looking for someone.

The rangers of the village would welcome Faer'andil and make certain he was well. If he notified the rangers whom is he looking for, they would escort him into the village and help him find whom he is looking for.

[beneviolent]

Elethineth addressed the Everskan Rangers, closed the gate and continued up the path. It had been some time since she had stood before the Triune statue. With a sigh of worry and concerns she recognized in herself an insistent desire to commune with the Daughter of the Night Skies. Here, far from home, perhaps her prayer might be heard. She bowed her head before the serene Lady of Dreams and began a soft song of praise.

She motioned to her kind escorts to sit comfortably and join her. She spoke of her recent visions, of a soft voice, moonlight, and a silver flower. Mysteries to puzzle and contemplate. They tried to sort through her visions. What did they mean? Where was Luthien? A bloody sword? Questions they could not answer.

Perhaps there was more to see she thought. And so she led them into meditation. Perhaps shared strength and senses could unravel the puzzle.

She called and listened... and led them deeper into trance. The Goddess graced me with past visions perhaps now her kin would be so blessed to dream and see.

[Invoker]

A small group including several elves, a dwarf and a human appeared from a sort of gateway opening on utter darkness, just nearby Boareskyr's Bridge. Visibly exhausted, after a short dialogue the dwarf and the human went their separate ways, one of the elves vanished into the shadows, and the other elves headed for the Misty Forest. The last one to leave was a black robed Sun Elf, who disappeared murmuring some words in a strange language after watching everyone else go.

[beneviolent]

A group of elves returns from a visit to a shrine in the south. Entering the Misty they greet the watchful Rangers. AFter some time visiting kin they assemble near a supply tent.

They share many questions. Asking each other "Will there be water?. How far will we travel? How many days might this take? What 'shimmering silver' thing should they be seeking? Does anyone know of a path north? What kind of brute savages did the mystic see in her vision? Will the moon shine?"

Without certainties they simply turn their attention to preparations for a hunt. Bandages are stowed, quivers are filled, blades sharpened, armors oiled and prayers intoned.

[SeedsOfDoubt]

*Nai looks to those returning from the gateway of utter darkness*

Where be's Luthien? Her be's fine now too?