Darkwood--Darkness Rising

[Sigrid]

"Greetings, Dainty Ones. I bring news from the Ghost Bear clan. We have discovered that the Shattered Stone clan and the Mist Wolf clan have been recruiting allies among the Frost Giants far to the West. They plan on going to war with your people, but didn't wish you to know of it until they were ready."

[Seven Words]

One of the bowmen, the one with two sigils, turns to the other.., "Vistyai, it's as I've always said...the local clans have lost their respect for their elders. The Protector is right, some object lessons are needed"

He replies, with a tired sigh,"I realize you believe the Protector has yet to have an idea that ISN'T directly from the Lorekeeper. But the Protector doesn't rule absolutely, and wanton slaughter is not an answer. And I know saying such things is a common symptom of an imminent accident back home.....except this isn't back home. I am the Pathfinder, you are a Pathwarden. That will be enough."

The wand-wielder asks Sigrid, "Do you know how many, or what kind of giants they have bargained for? Shamans, warriors, berserkers...."

[Sigrid]

"They have a shaman, a cleric, eight warriors, 4 berserkers, and another."

[Laurel]

Leaving the longbow nocked, but dropping her song to a bare hum, Laurel listens to the conversation between the cleric of Rrzknth and the newcomers.

[ooc]knowledge checks as appropriate to help make sense out of what is being discussed, please[/ooc]

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus shakes his head at the idea of elves having this type of relationship with northern tribes.

[ooc]I suppose I'll make any applicable Knowledge checks as well...[/ooc]

[Led Pighp]

Led relaxes somewhat, now that it appears a friendly dialogue has erupted, though he keeps an eye on the more hostile of the two bowmen.

[Seven Words]

The wolverine ambles over to the apparent leader...details now become visible, most noteworthy being the many jewels inset upon his helm.

Putting one of her wands away, a female asks Skyseeker, "What is your name, and where did you sneak out of the hold from? I am DarkRock Soulburner."

The male with the two symbols eyes Led in the manner one might a horse for sale. "Anyone know this one's line?" he says, quite clearly directed at anyone who ISN'T the Heschic scout.

Marrik steps forward, Missaryi's symbol clinking against his breastplate as he says, "You are utterly lacking in manners. His courage and worth shine with the Light. You, Blooded One, I question...or is it Dark Child?"

/ooc--Blooded One denotes a servant (cleric, etc., not merely a worshipper) of Darethon, Dark Child is same for Barxonas.

Skyseeker replies, "I am called Skyseeker...but I snuck from no where. From Tower Overlooking The Unwet Sea I come. We though that no elves save ourselves survived the Darkening, when we fled the Golden Wood as the Web was lost."

[Led Pighp]

"My line? I am of the line of Neptai Ironsoul, by way of EastWood Gloom village. How is my lineage any business of yours, oppressor?"

[Seven Words]

"EastGloom VILLAGE?" he sneers. "Rather pretentious calling your kennels villages. And I know every worthy breeding line in the Hold, and this Neptai is unknown to me...you're just some byblow." The elf-girl with the short sword rolls her eyes at him, "Starshine, you know full well the nonmen are not kept in kennels. Granted, their places are poor, but they're not caged."

"Bitch-Kissed, be silent. I tolerate your presence under orders, but you have no leave to bespeak me beyond necessity, street-child. I suppose you'll tell me I ought to try some perversion, like a Forged for a pleasure toy?" he shudders in dramatic revulsion, before turning to Marrik. "A human, lecturing on manners? My people were creating masterpieces of refined craftsmanship while your people were just learning to cook their food. Be mindful of your betters."

[Led Pighp]

"Masterpieces like the Darkwood? Oh aye, we've much to hold your kind in high esteem for, oppressor. But I daresay you wouldn't know good breeding if it gutted you and laughed at your pathetic mewling right here in the snow. Shall we test this theory?"


First round shifted
Charge
claw / claw / charge

[Seven Words]

In a blur of savagery, Led dashes forward, both claws sinking effortlessly into the obnoxious arrogant elf's gut (14 points and 16 points)....blood dribbling form his lips, he calls upon the Blood-Hunter as he prepares to strike back....

The leader calls out "HOLD!"

Marrik hefts his axe, and calls for Led to stop, but is clearly not even considering Led as a target.

The woman aims her wand at Led, the one called "Bitch-Kissed" is laughing as she moves to a position to help Starshine.

Skyseeker shouts, "I am of the House of the Midnight Blossoms, and that man bears my countenance!"

[Laurel]

Confusion shows in the bard's eyes as she watches Led physically charge in response to mere insulting words. Her song gains volume again in case its benefits are needed as she fiddles with her own tiny pair of wooden dice dangling from the small linked chain around her neck.

Laurel continues to sing but otherwise stands still, listening and assessing the situation as it develops.

[ooc]appropriate knowledge and diplomacy checks regarding the elves version of what Led's people mean to them, as well as any information on the home and House of Skyseeker, and how that bears weight diplomatically in the current situation, please[/ooc]

[Vynarkus]

[ooc]Knowledge checks to try to understand what Skyseeker just said, and about everything else the other elves have mentioned. If they suggest that what I wrote him speaking would have a negative effect, please disregard it.[/ooc]

Vynarkus sighs, then walks forward. "Led, please calm down. I understand that you hate being talked to that way, but we need to avoid any unneccessary fights."

He then approaches the elven party slowly, and begins, "I apologize for my companion's actions. He, at least, is a person with a full range of emotions, and a sense of honor. It is somewhat possible that your beliefs about his race are true in general [bluff check to hide true feelings], but he does not deserve to be treated as an animal." He glares at them for a few moments [intimidate], then continues.

He makes a Diplomacy check, so long as his efforts seem to be having some effect at diffusing the situation. He allows anyone else from the party to speak if they want, and even looks at Skyseeker to ask for her help.

[Sigrid]

I'm also confused, but otherwise don't know how to act.

[Seven Words]

Starshine looks utterly shocked at Skyseeker's declaration, as do all of the elves...he briefly incants, and heals himself.

"No such flower survived the Coming of Doom, prove it" he declares, but with a hopeful lift to his voice.

The one they call "Bitch-Kissed" puts away her sword, and is still grinning at Starshine's....discomfiture, caused by Led's unexpected foray into his entrails.

Skyseeker asks now, "What are your Houses, that I might greet you properly?" with a tone of mild exasperation, as if they are being particularly obtuse.

"In the Coming of Doom, much was lost. Only I am truly of a House, by blood, birth, and bond. Celestial Procession, I am, and I thank the stars for illuminating the path to our meeting, as laid by the Lorekeeper."

Skyseeker replies in elven, but an obscure dialect, virtually impossible to understand....something about joy unfolding, flowers, heaven's jewels.

Starshine looks utterly awestruck now, Bitch-Kissed is slack-jawed, and DarkRock nearly drops her wand as she bursts into delighted laughter.

[Led Pighp]

Still seething with rage, and yet a bit confused that he's being ignored by the person he just gutted, Led turns and walks back to where Laurel is. He slowly licks the blood from his claws, remaining in shifted form to do so.

[Laurel]

Seeing Led approaching with anger still in his eyes, and thinking Skyseeker has averted any immediate threat from the new arrivals, Laurel allows her song to fade away and turns to the shifted Scribe. "I understand he totally insulted you and your clan, Led," she quietly whispers to him as he draws near. "But to charge and attack over words... Would it have not been more effective to challenge him to a battle of wits and repartee? To show him you and your people are far above and beyond what he and his kind believe you to be?

"And that those he may stupidly see as chattel have far more manners, empathy, and regard for others than he may ever hope to attain, despite all the years behind and ahead of him?"

[Led Pighp]

Led stops and stares for a moment. "Words? Those words describe facts. They keep my kind in kennels. Nothing more than beasts for their amusement. They label them as lines, like prized hunting dogs. But while the Heshics may prize horses as fine beasts, we also keep them in as good a home as we ourselves have. The idea of my people being kept in sqallor..."

"I am sorely tempted to let the chaos engulf the world and destroy us all, if it means such as these will die firery deaths in the act."

Then he glanced back at the newcomers and saw Skyseeker continuing to speak with them. "All elves should burn. I was right all along. Skyseeker may have convinced me it was all a big mistake, but now I see the truth. The elves on our side are no better than the elves we fight. No better, and just as deserving of the fire."

[Seven Words]

Skyseeker switches back into the common tongue, and launches into a truly splendid harangue ...

"This man, yes I said MAN, bears my countenance, I am proud to vouchsafe for him, I am honored to be in his company ANYWHERE.....HE, never it, he has been as stalwart and true as Valkhan himself. Serloth couldn't even grasp your thoughts as to keep intelligent beings as chattel. The Final Judge will hold you accountable, you benighted fools. We are supposed to bear the wisdom of many centuries as individuals and millenia as a culture, the Eldar Race...yet you speak approvingly of such atrocities as even the vilest orc tribes do not contemplate. You WILL apologize." As he starts to bow to her, "NO, you inutterable mental defective, not to me, to him!" and she points at Led, panting in sheer unadulterated fury.

[Laurel]

The bard quickly glances from the furious elfin scout back to the raging shifted scribe. "All elves should burn, eh?" she inquires of him, with a well arched brow lifted even further in response. "I think if we are to learn the status of your people here in these lands, and possibly rectify their situation if need be, we would be better off following Skyseeker's lead, than to be the ones tying those such as her to the stake."