(Mahri Greentree's Home, Dusk: 18th Day of Summersong, 1411v.a.)
Mahri paced back and forth while several other people sat motionless in the half dark of Mahri's home. Her light blonde hair glistened in the fading daylight. Dressed in the dark garb she had worn since leaving her last home, Mahri was contented to be concerned over the current state of affairs. Once she had lived in the subterranean City Silverbough. Now she had a distinct propensity towards staying in the shadow darkness. Currently, only one lamp was lit, and hung over the door. There was a pan of bread laid out on the table where a world map was displayed. The cartographer of this modern map, which showed the changes since the invasion, was present in the room, deeply concerned about the status of a friend of hers. Magen O'Gar, the famous battlemage, leaned forward into the light. "Mahri," she spoke softly, "Take peace with yourself. Everything will work out in the end."
Mahri looked from Magen to the other two figures in the room. One slinked forward, and snatched another loaf of the bread from the pile on the table. The tremendous S'Shaps'Tnma'a smoothly returned to the shadow, from where he rasped in a rolling bass voice, "Time, and only time, will tell us whether there has been an... error committed." He watched the other three with unwavering eyes, black and abyssal.
"S'Shaps'Tnma'a, you forget she still has the copy of the Sha'Aldava'a." Magen's face was noticebly red. "That is the original, do not forget. If we lose that to the Elisthran, there is no way to know what they would do with her." She crossed her arms and threw her head back in defiance. "They view Uimn's teachings as heresy. Not to mention the startling similarity to her mother she bears." She shivered suddenly, "Let us never forget what they might be able to do with it, either."
"I understand that. But the book, and the child, are of little concern in the face of the loss of a dozen Orphans. We have other, more important things our Aedri Teams should be doing." The malformed creature continued his argument.
Magen was flustered, and growled audibly. "Then, there is the pressure from the Rebelissians to locate their missing delegate. Not to forget either that there is the little bit about making the Atrican Assembly in THREE MONTHS!" Magen had finally raised her voice. Mahri hung her head in shame. These people had been her companions before, and now they were reduced to bickering.
In a brief, and surprising moment, the only remaining figure held a hand up between Magen and S'Shaps'Tnma'a. Interposing between the two arguers, a slender, platinum-haired old elf stood up. Wearing a drab grey cloak and battered chain maile, he stood up and looked at Mahri, his dearest sister. "There will be time to fight later on, and certainly on more important things." He looked Magen in the eye, and then turned his gaze to S'Shaps'Tnma'a. "Right now, we have a half dozen missing Orphans, and we need to know how to get them back home, if, indeed, we can." He settled back into the shadows. "My daughter home, safe and sound, would be an enjoyable moment, but I am a realist, first. The safety of those Orphans is most paramount."
Mahri sighed. She knew exactly what Link was going through. Her own daughter, Saralina, had been missing for almost a year now. The Aedri Team charged with finding her had been recalled and was now on assignment looking for the Delegation to the Hill. She sighed audibly. A horn sounded off in the distance, signaling that the sun was down. She turned her attention towards the door. "They should be arriving shortly." She spoke, almost disheartened.
==================== OOC: Game on everyone! Unless you have infravision (elfly types), you cannot see the other three. Even then you must search the room actively. There is a -4 penalty on the roll due to the lamp over the door. Invariably, S'Shaps'Tnma'a cannot be detected by any means.
Some background information: You have all been deployed on a mission with the Orphans at least once. Mahri heads up the Hellgon's Orphans. For any further information you may want, PM me.
Last Edit: Nov 27, 2005 21:49:54 GMT -5 by eunhathes
lylie walks up to the door wondering what the leader could want this time. really liked the leader of the orphens but she preferred to stay and watch over the children of those who are on missions or of those who are missing. sure she could be of help to any mission, she just preferd to be at home with the kids.
as she walks up to the door stops and gives a sigh. well i hope for once that this is good news. she raises her hand and knocks on the door and waits for a reply.
"You think that you can tell us apart? Many have tried, but then again, many have failed. What do you think the price for that is?" The Three Sisters Lylie-governess to a child of the first plain "You grew up. Thats a shame. The carousel never stops turning. You cant get off either. Its a shame."
Post by gryphonpoet on Nov 29, 2005 2:41:38 GMT -5
The elf reached the forest line as the human woman rapped the sturdy wooden door to the house. Obviously, she had been summoned as well as he had, but Aboriam Stormwatcher still thought it best to act with caution. He waited to time his approach to the house until those who lived within answered her knock.
No sense in provoking a potential ally. he thought to himself. a moment's hesitation to prevent catastrophe. Sound logic, I think.
Silently, he crouched behind the tree and watched a moment.
Rubbing her hand over the sudden, bright flash of sunlight that greeted her as she stepped out of the tent, Opal made sure that she had everything. Traveling gear, armor, weapons... Check, check, check. She set off towards the meeting tent, silently hoping nothing went wrong on this mission.
Coming up around the line of tents, she saw a human woman standing next to the entrance, knocking on the door. She took a moment to look her over; she thought she might have recognized her from the childrens sector.
As she walked closer, she broke into a big smile as she recalled the other womans name. "Hello there, miss. Is it... Lily? I've seen you over by the children's sector once or twice." She held out her hand, continuing in her normal rich, warm voice. "I'm Opal; pleased to be working wit' ya."
lylie looks to the other woman that just spoke. she smiled and replied "why yes i work with the children all the time. i take care of some of them while there families are on missions." she sticks out her hand for a hand shake. "and yes i am lylie. so your name is opal then. thats a beautiful name." she game opal a genuain smile.
"You think that you can tell us apart? Many have tried, but then again, many have failed. What do you think the price for that is?" The Three Sisters Lylie-governess to a child of the first plain "You grew up. Thats a shame. The carousel never stops turning. You cant get off either. Its a shame."
Looking into the faces of the two assembled in front of the door, she saw that her summons had not gone unheeded at least. She sighed. "Make haste, you two. Come in, come in. I have prepared bread, butter, and honey." As the two made it into the building, she leaned out, looking all ways for more of her summons arrivals.
When he saw the door open, Aboriam stood up and crossed out of the treeline toward the house with attention-attracting suddenness. His disarming smile widened as the distance shortened to the door.
"Good day, kind folks!" he shouted at the right volume for his voice to cross the distance. "Have I reached the home of Mahri Greentree?"
(Jenene is going to Mahri's house) When Jenene heres Mahri saying to hurry up and get inside she is going to go from her current walk into a run toward the house, then when she gets into the house she will wait for intrutions.
A young half-elf runs swiftly along the tree line mumbling to herself "I can't believe I'm late again. Stupid curiousity." Her cloak waves in the wind behind her as she makes hardly any noise. She is plainly dressed in a dark tunic and breeches. The colors are diffcult to make out in the low light. She has a quiver of arrows and a bow slug acroos her shoulder. Her hair is cut short in a boyish style, accenting her slightly pointed ears. As she comes up to the house she slows her pace and comes to a stop just as Mahri was about to close the door. She leans over in a pant for a few seconds catching her breath before she stands staight. "I apologize Mistress Greentree for being tardy." she bows slightly in respect and apology. "I was studying."
Aboriam slipped through the door and looked around the house. He checked the placement of the exits. He observed the walls a few moments, under the guise of checking decorations, for the possibility of false doors. Satisfied, he situated himself near, but not in, a far corner. His smile flashed as disarming as ever at the others in the room.
Lots of magic here, boyo. he thought quietly to himself. Best to watch your step in here or else.
Aboriam crossed his arms and watched the meeting organize itself, smile still intact.
Two men, one human and the other halfling, came rambling up to the door, speaking of things better left behind in the tents of bachelors. Each seemed, in his own way, to be taking their time to get to the meeting. The human was speaking, "All I'm saying, Icos, is that if you go out on any particular evening and come home with any particular woman, you don't get taken too seriously."
"Aye, but for some odd reason, people still take Liana pretty seriously." At this the two men busted up with laughter. When it died down, they were in front of the group of people gathered at Mahri's door.
Mahri had placed one fist on her hip and was leaning with the other against the door frame. She nodded first to the human, and then the halfling, "Oire. Icos. Nice to see you in such good humour." They grew hastily quiet. "Come on everyone. There is a meeting to be had." The elven woman, full with grace and eloquence, turned and entered her home.
((Everyone, I am assuming, will be inside at this point.))
The sitting room of Mahri's house is adorned with various trophies: An umber hulk claw; the hoof of a nightmare; a blue dragon scale. There is much to keep the attention of the people assembled. There is an exit towards the back of the room, where there is a large shadowed area, due to the lack of lights in the room. Mahri herself is a middle aged elf, though still good looking enough to turn heads in public. She is, upon close inspection, armed with a variety of weapons and wearing a suit of cloth that hugs her frame lovingly. Her platinum blonde hair has been cut to shoulder length, and is worn currently pinned up with hair sticks. She turns to face everyone. "Welcome everyone. Before we continue, I think some introductions are in order."
The human male stood and raised a hand in salute to the party. "My name's Oire Maldannon. I'm just a regular old footsoldier. I consider myself at least a decent and competant tactician." He sat, but remained proud. "My family's been in the Orphans since my grandpap came to New Hellgon after the Invasion. Good to be working with you all."
Next, the Halfling rose. "I'm Icos Urikode. I've been studyin on merchanting and trade with the local humans. I lived in West Ariton, in the Dutrati lands, for about, oh, five years ago. It sure is good to be back home, though."
Mahri looked around and waited for the others to introduce themselves.
Jenene is saying to the group, " greetings my name is Jenene Thomes," it is a pleasure to be working with all of you, I am the only daughter of Micheal and Martha Thomes. I am from Alezhannon.
lylie stood up and smiled widely. she bowed and said "hello everyone. i am lylie. i am from Namnagar. i take care of the children while the others are on missions, or are missing. i hope that this is good news mahri." lylie sat down and waited paitenly for someone else to introduce themselves.
"You think that you can tell us apart? Many have tried, but then again, many have failed. What do you think the price for that is?" The Three Sisters Lylie-governess to a child of the first plain "You grew up. Thats a shame. The carousel never stops turning. You cant get off either. Its a shame."
Standing, Opal gave a short bow, looking carefully at everyone assembled there. Satisfied that they were all dependible people, she gave a nod to Mahri. "I am called Opal Deeplamp. I am afraid I do not really know much of my past, though I am quite willing to help on your quest, me being something of an Orphan myself. I am pretty good with my Pick here, and I have control over some Earth and Healing magics."
She sits back down, a little worried. She knew how to fight, but she rather disliked using that knowledge. This looked like it was going to get dangerous...
The elven man bounced off the wall with a jaunty air. "My name is Aboriam and I call the forests nearby home. There are sometimes when a body just gets these feelings that something should be done. That is why I am here now. I feel i must do something, though at this time I am not sure what.
The elf bowed low to his hostess and said, "At your service, M'Lady. I pledge my bow, my arms and my heart to your cause."
Amie brushes her blonde hair from her eyes before taking a step forward and bowing to the elders in the room. "My name is Amie Stargazer. I am from the Nul. I am a studying mage sympathetic to the cause of the Orphans. I hope to become good friends with you all." She bows again and smiles, her green eyes flashing.
Mahri nodded as she listened to each person in turn. When finally, each of the party members were finished, she began. "One month ago, we sent a special team out to investigate a serious issue in Atrica. You all may remember the incident with the orcs early last month. When we followed their raiding parties back to their base, there was a shrine to a deity named Soltham." She began unfurling a banner which depicted a planet, torn asunder, and a single man issuing forth from inside. "His apparent nature is to destroy worlds and rebuild them in a more suitable image. However, we needed more information on him. I sent out three teams to three possible locations. The other two have sent back information regarding clues to the location of Soltham's tomb, but nothing concrete yet. One of the teams is even due to return two days from now." Her face grew sad. "However, the third...." Her voice trailed off.
"Although, this is where you will come in. You each have been selected for the Seventh Ally Extraction, Deployment Recovery, and Investigation Team. There are eight positions in the team, and each of you has a roll in that team. Before assigning and explaining these positions, let me explain the situation. You are to go to the last known whereabouts of the missing Team. Explore it thoroughly. Recover any vital information and clues as to the disappearance of this team and any of their gear you might find. Any threats to your health are priority. Do not hesitate to defend yourselves. Finally, you will come back here and report." She took a deep breath. "Any questions before we begin?"
lylie looks at mahri and asks "so who was in the team that we are to look for? depending on who was in this team we would be looking for different things right?" lylie was getting figgity from sitting too long. she was the type of person not to sit still for any length of time unless there was a life on the line.
"You think that you can tell us apart? Many have tried, but then again, many have failed. What do you think the price for that is?" The Three Sisters Lylie-governess to a child of the first plain "You grew up. Thats a shame. The carousel never stops turning. You cant get off either. Its a shame."
Post by gryphonpoet on Dec 11, 2005 3:02:34 GMT -5
Aboriam shifted his thin frame off the wall again.
"Also, we will need as much information as possible about what they looked for. Where they headed. When searching for someone, information is gold."
Part from nervous habit and part for effect, Aboriam slid a gold piece though the knuckles of his left hand. It looked as if it swam the butterfly stroke from one side of his hand to the other and back.
