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 Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:48 pm
The girl turned in the direction of the male that had spoken with a look of pure hatred. "Then it is a good thing that your culture and my existence have only crossed once." Her hands were clenched into bloodless fists and she continued in a low tone. "I could live without your kind and all the foolishness that goes with you. A filthy smelling creature who seems to have no knowledge of tolerance and little consideration. If you must know, the reason I am upset is has nothing to do with my eyes being gone. It's because you and your companion are loud and annoying." She shook in restrained anger before reaching up and ripping the cloth from her eyes. "And I am not damaged goods by any means."
The girl abruptly turned and made her way from the encampment, her wings unfolding before she made it to the outer area where she felt the freedom of the fields. 'I'm better off staying out of there until those annoying fools leave,' she thought in anger. Taking a deep breath, she stormed across the field into the forests where she was at home.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:55 pm
Cyn’gus responded back to the shaman with smiling eyes and a few kind words, ”I am happy we were able to help, take these small gifts with the blessing of the Dark Maiden… and yes, Spring is fast upon us. Although we have few items to trade with you here, I welcome you to bring your trade caravan to our town just a day’s travel from this Outpost…”
Just as he was finishing, another visitor came into view wearing a silver dress. He held up a hand in greeting and caught Silence out of the corner of his eye already getting up to welcome the new guest. Then, another visitor’s voice from behind the tent greeted his ears over the crackling of the fires. Soon, however, it was quickly drowned out by another argument created by the man who’d came in with a young girl. He observed that the priestesses, including his aunt, were watching him with cautious stares. Before he could interject, the young fey woman stormed off into the forest. Clearly the man had said something unkind again and Cyn’gus was beginning to feel that he had just overstayed his welcome…
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:58 pm
A sharp pain shot through Zee’s mind so intense it brought her to her knees. She reached up and covered her ears gasping for air. Letting her staff clatter to the ground, she hunched over. Pushing the sides of her head trying to still the pain, her face contorted in a fit of agony. The sights and sounds of the Outpost were drowned out by the throbbing that ensued. The world around her disappeared leaving only an overwhelming sense of...
Slowly… the smell of the fires came back. Opening her eyes, Zee reached out for her staff, and with trembling fingers closed them around the cool wooden shaft. The touch of it’s magic pulsed through her and she was able to regain her senses once again. The gentle glow of moonlight caressed the surface of Zee’s skin. She embraced the feeling of the Dark Maiden’s divine grace, gaining strength from Eilistraee’s blessings.
After a slow deep intake of breath, Zee pushed herself up to a standing position. There was a heated argument occurring between one of the visitors and the man Tox. Looking down she sensed that Chalindra had been struck by a powerful feeling of fear. Placing her hand once again on the drow woman’s shoulder, she whispered a prayer that would give her strength and resolve. Divine power pulsed from within her and flowed over into the other priestess in waves.
The blessing complete, she lifted her hand away and set her gaze upon Tox, the source of disharmony that was disrupting the beautiful song in the Dark Maiden’s holy sanctuary. She strode over to where he was standing ready with a retort to the poisonous words dribbling from his mouth.
“Our Dark Lady offers redemption to all who ask for it, regardless of past transgressions. But, do not mistake our kindness for weakness…” Lady Zeenat said as she shifted to stand directly in front of the man and locked her eyes with his. She continued, not in her usual beautiful sing song voice, but with a darker more powerful tone proclaimed, ”… you either live by the song, or die by the sword. There is no place for the unredeemable in Eilistraee’s eternal dance.”
With that said, she turned and walked away, her graceful form swaying with each step. Zee paused for a brief moment and continued back in her usual kind voice, ”All are welcome to partake in the kind gifts our faithful lay worshipers and friends have to bestow upon the weary traveler. Once stomachs are full and numb fingers warmed by the fires, I suggest an early debark from camp at daybreak…” She said walking away once again, then stopped to say over her shoulder, “…or sooner.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:33 am
Cryso watched the events transpire, her crimson eyes narowed as she turned her gaze to the one whom seemed to be causing it, making a mental note to watch that one. She then strode over to the man whom had raised his hand in greeting, her walk that of a trained fighter. Bowing in greeting to both the orc he was talking to and him, keeping her eyes on both as she did so. Introducing herself in a voice hinting of musical talent and a slight far eastern accent, "Cryso of clan Shinjo, tis an honor and a pleasure."
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:17 pm
Khar'Grim bowed his head in responce and introduced himself as well. "Khar'Grim Glacierheart, of the Coldspear Tribe."
he then, whistled, and a bird flew down to his hand. whispering in a secret language to the animal, he sent it off, and it flew in the direction that the Orc came from.
"my people will know that the Caravan can come this way. now, i want to explore. i will follow your camp, if i am allowed."
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Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:31 pm
The woman cautiously lifted her head to look upon the camp that she had entered at, she feared, a bad time. The entire area was filled with tension. With slow motions, she removed the hood that covered her eyes and gazed openly at the group.
"I apologize if I have intruded, but I was hoping you might be willing to exchange a meal for a tale." Her words were soft, but carried clearly over the empty space between her and the others.
Her messy black hair was captured by the wind as a breeze flew by. The simple touch of nature caused the woman to give an inner laugh. Just a moment before she had seen a disagreement drive one of their number away so any kindness she felt was welcome.
There were elves, humans, and an orc gathered in the open area. Some looked to be travelers, like herself. Others gave off an air of authority and silently demanded respect. There were also a fair few who seemed at home in the light of the fires and another whom she thought to be a warrior of sorts. It was rather interesting to behold.
She gave a tiny smile before raising her left hand again. Her eyes focusing on those gathered around the large fire that crackled in tune to the creatures that filled the forests in the night.
"I am Zilvrae Thara'Ssapffyn and am honored to be in your fair encampment."
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:58 pm
”Lady Cryso and Lady Zilvrae, please come and sit. We are honored by your presence. And to answer your question, tales and songs are always welcomed by the fire and the meals are always offered for free.”
Cyn’gus stood and bowed in return, sweeping his hand out towards the encampment. He had hoped that something would ease the tension that had been building as of late. Perhaps the arrival of new faces might distract those engaged in harsh words long enough for things to calm down a bit. The Emissary didn’t have much faith in that notion but at least he could hope.
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:51 pm
Zilvrae bowed back to the man who spoke in kind greeting. He seemed worn down, possibly from all the tension that filled the space in which he occupied.
"I fear, good sir, that I do not sing. Yet, my tales shall be as freely shared by your fires as the waters of the western coast," she spoke softly in response.
A few quiet steps and Zilvrae's feet carried her to the campfire where a majority of the others were gathered. She carefully unclasped her cloak, the pale blue material illuminated by the flames that flickered against the darkness that embraced the world. She placed the newly folded pile in an empty space before the welcomed warmth and knelt down atop it.
In her mind, Zilvrae was silently going over all the tales that were collected in the confines of both her journal and memory. As the thoughts began to string together, the woman began to focus more on the people surrounding her. They did not seem to be in need of a long story, but rather one to lighten the heart.
It was then that it dawned on her. 'What I need,' she determined, 'is the tale of the lake.'
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:23 pm
Silence had mercifully blocked out the last argument that had taken place in her camp. She had been enjoying a clove of garlic that Cyn'gus had brought while talking to her belly. The newest visitors had finally joined them closer to the fire and the blind visitor had left. "Is anyone hungry?" she asked, scooping heated stew from the pot until a few bowls were filled. "Go ahead," she laughed, "and eat. It's not like it's poisoned."
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Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:54 pm
Cyn’gus retrieved a few bowls Silence had just filled. Steam rose from them in playful wisps. It was a fresh batch of soup, with fresher and lighter tasting vegetables than the winter stew.
The cold chill of the night air was slowly melting away, letting the stillness give way to the teaming noises of the forest. The Harvest Moon was rising from the east over the mountains announcing the passing of the equinox.
Cyn’gus walked towards the newcomers, his hands laden with supper saying, ”This should help warm you…” he said handing them a bowl and a spoon. ”… what story do you have to share with us honored Storyteller?” he said shifting his attention towards Zilvrae.
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Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 6:17 pm
Khar'Grim too was interested in what tale the Bard had to share. the tradition was a rare one among his people, but the other races living near him seemed to each have a few in his generation or older. the stories they told formed the backbone of their knowledge of the world outside the village, and they were highly regarded people, respected by nearly everyone.
the Orc listened intently, his gaze on the small hooded woman. he wondered what she would tell about, and hoped it would be a useful story.
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:27 pm
In the flickering of the fire, Zilvrae sat with a bowl warming her chilled fingers. She smiled at both the elf that had spoken to her in kind tones and the orc that was gazing at her. She inhaled deeply before beginning.
"Nearly a decade in the past, I came across a small encampment that stood next to a lake that glistened in the manner of diamonds under the glow of faerie fire. The camp was filled with a strange group of people that appeared as patchwork as my skirt I had worn in that year. They spoke little with one another, but seemed very polite.
"The first night I was there was very much like any other night I spent in a new place. During the evening meal I would share a tale and listen to the people learning a story or two of their own. We ate a meal of spiced meat and vegetables before sleep. The next morning I assisted with random tasks, but the people seemed a little quieter than they had been the night before."
Zilvrae paused for a moment to take a drink from the bowl of soup. She knew that the story was moving slowly, but the background was important. With a small breath, she resumed her tale.
"By the time dusk approached on the second night of my stay, the entire camp with filled with tension. Even the waters seemed completely still and slightly darker. When the time came for me to speak again I began with a light-hearted tale and was quickly turned upon by the people. It was then that I began to watch the water.
"It had been so beautiful when I arrived and not a full two days had passed, but it appeared destroyed. The beautiful blues were now an angered pitch. It took me the entirety of a tragic tale to see that the tension was caused by my presence.
"I awoke in the middle of the night to angry voices. There were many people sleeping soundly despite the noise, but two members of the group were speaking, rather rudely, to an old man beside the lake. The man looked kindly, but his voice was harsh as he told the others that there was nothing to be gained in condemning others for what is beyond their control.
"He spoke of a peace that had lasted at that had lasted beside that lake for centuries and said it was only when people settled at its edge that the waters truly felt hatred. I felt ashamed. No one will deny that the Drow are often thought of when hatred is mentioned. I began to see why the waters were so upset that night and as the man descended back into the inky depths of the lake I felt the tension filling the encampment slowly disperse.
"The next morning after I awoke, I gathered my pack in preparation to depart. The couple that had provided me with shelter for the past two nights saw me off. They were polite and it was right before I left the clearing that the feeling of peace settled on the area again. I suppose that being around me made them uncomfortable, but it was not always so."
Zilvrae looked over the people around the camp as she ended her tale. Taking another drink of soup she let the final words sink in before opening her mouth again.
"I wonder," she said in a soft voice. "If the old man from the lake were present here, would he approve of all the tension that fills this area where I sense there should be peace?"
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:12 pm
Cyn’gus sat and listened to the honoured Storyteller recant the Tale of the Lake to all those gathered around the fire. Zilvrae intricately wove a story with a message hidden within it’s words. The Emissary knew well the meaning behind those words. While it spoke to greater truths that were beyond the control of all the gathered there this evening, it was a familiar account that any drow who had spent even a small amount of time on the surface could relate to. It was a curse of heritage that followed them as surely as a shadow follows it’s caster in the moonlight.
Cyn’gus found himself sitting back, with his arms crossed contemplating the tale. To his sudden realization, the tale had the appropriate affect. The tension that was previously so thick amongst the encampment seem to have drifted away.
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:38 pm
Zee slowly made her way to where Thalia was sitting and crouched down in front of her. Gentle sobs shook her tiny frame as she buried her face in what could barely be politely justified as the remnants of a dress. Reaching into the folds of her travelling cloak, its fine white silk shimmering in the glow of the moonlight, Zee pulled out a closed fist palm down.
”My dear child, I have a present for you” the high priestess said in a soothing voice. She slowly turned her hand upward and produced a smooth white stone, glowing like the light of the full moon. ”This is a pilgrims moonstone, from the sacred cave of the Oracle. There are many like it scattered about the floor of the shrine. If you would like my dear, I can bring you there and show you..” she said with a tender smile.
”…and if you choose, you may stay as long as you would like. I promise you will be well taken care of, and no harm shall come to you so long as you are under the Dark Lady’s protection.”
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