Auromar, IC 2

[Lochar]

Through the portal, to where I do not know.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid nods. Another dead end, but not particularly unexpected. They would just have to unravel that mystery themselves.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

"How'd ya made it this far into tha forest safely?" Grazys asks undaunted by another dead end question, though it seemed they'd gotten an answer to an unasked question in why the elf had come: blood ties of some sort.

[Lochar]

I stayed along the water's edge and the forest, until I saw signs in script of resting and climbed the trees to investigate.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

The binder faces his friends once more. "I've got one question left. I was thinkin' of askin' "whot was your mission here?" Whaddya'll think?"

[nekosama]

Freeman

"You seem to be doing fine. Ask whatever you want."

[Toliudar]

Reid

The priest nodded.

If there are organizations sending agents on specific tasks in this swiftly-opening continent, it would be useful to know it.

[guardinal]

Anu
"I agree. But perhaps knowing who sent him would be more useful to know than why. Even just knowing what clan he belonged to would give us something to go on."

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

"A good point, Anura," the binder concedes with a nod. Grazys turns back to the elf's corpse. "Specifically who sent ya ta tha elven city?"

[Lochar]

Elder Mintan Woodwin. With the last of your questions answered, the corpse shudders and is silent once more.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid quickly makes the sign of the rising sun.

Divine gift or no, that ritual always sends a shiver down me.

He shakes it off, and gestures to the elf's body.

Not that there are a lot of scavengers around right now, but I suppose we should prepare a burial for him. Or do think a pyre would be more respectful?

He draws a shovel out of his pack.

[guardinal]

Anu
"Burial would be more appropriate, I would think."

Anura finds a comfortable place to sit and pulls out her spellbook, clearly having no intention of participating in the digging.

[nekosama]

Freeman

"Pick the spot and I can dig the hole fast. Dug my share of trenches and graves during the war."

[Toliudar]

[B]Reid/B]

Reid gratefully places the shovel into the much larger hands of the warforged.

Away from the main roots of this tree, but still close enough to be under its shade and protection, I'd say. About here?

[nekosama]

Freeman

Freeman starts digging at a fast pace and keeps the pace up till the grave is dug.

"I am pretty sure this should be deep enough."

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid nods, and gently lifts the crushed body of the elf into the grave. Smoothing the man's clothes, he steps back to let Freeman complete his task, and murmurs a prayer for the departed soul to reach its desired place of rest.

[nekosama]

Freeman

After the prayers Freeman fills the hole back in but at a bit more somber a pace. Once the filled back in he says. "I guess with that now done we are traveling back to the dryad camp and then to the city. That is what was agree on the other night right? Well if that is right we aught to get moving."

[Greyen]

Dothen

Dothen walks back over to the group, still keeping an eye out for trouble. Ahh, good, done with the nasty woogie bit. An ya already buried 'im. Well I'm sure he was a good soldier doing what he was tol' even if he was a bit overzealous. Dothen shrugs as if to say Who knows?

Shall we head off to go hunt some wooden girlies now?

[Toliudar]

Reid

Woogie?

Reid washes off his hands with a little water from his canteen. He does an abysmal job of concealing his enthusiasm.

Right! Ready when you are.

[guardinal]

Anu
While the graves are being dug, Anura fills her empty higher-level spell slots with seven 'phantom steed' castings.

"Everyone ready, then? I suggest we keep the visit with the dryads short."

When all signal their readiness, Anura opens a tree-portal back to Yggdrasil for the group, and then another back to the dryad's grove.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

"Damned handy way ta get 'bout, eh?" the binder asks no one in particular as the group comes through the portal once more to stand in the dryad's grove. "So we got some answers, but maybe not tha ones we would've liked, I think. Still, maybe Reid can message tha name back ta his superiors and find out what they know 'bout this Elder Mintarn Woodwin, hm?"

[Lochar]

The group passes through first to Yggdrasil, and then to the dryad grove. It is quiet there as you enter, but after only a few minutes, the dryads climb down out of one of the trees, chattering to themselves before greeting you all.

Kisha nods to you all. "Welcome back. Did you find anything in the elven city?"

Sarai smiles shyly and waves to Reid from where she is, leaning against the trunk of her tree.

[guardinal]

Anu
Anura smiles as the dryads descend to greet them.

"We did, actually. It seems the elves left this world for another, by way of a magical gateway. But they left instructions for opening the gateway once more, and bringing them back. The magics involved are beyond any of us at the moment, unfortunately."

[Toliudar]

Reid

As the group steps through, Reid immediately looks for Sarai. As the dryads descends, he stands stolidly in place, trying to figure out what to do with his hands. Her wave gives him an idea, and he enthusiastically waves back.

Enthusiasm seems to be the word for the day, now. He quickly adds to Anura's description of events, describing with what rough poetry he can muster the soaring trees and the homes woven in and among them.

We've found a little of their writings, and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before Anura finds a way to open the portal and bring them back. In the meantime, though...

He steps forward and settles awkwardly into a kneeling position.

This is a holy day for those of my faith. I have...no family to celebrate with here on this continent, and all of you are becoming friends. The ceremony will not take too long, I suppose-

He shoots Anura a brief glance.

But simply involves a shared meal, a few prayers, perhaps a simple hymn that I'd be happy to teach. Won't take more than an hour. Will you join us?

Hoping for the best, he begins the long, complex chant that asks Pelor for the blessing of manna.

Spoiler

Show

Casting Create Food and Water.

[Greyen]

Dothen

Dothen sauters through the portal and looks around. He shoots a grin to Reid and begins to set up shop to cook the meal. After cooking he participates in the ceremony.

[guardinal]

Anu
Anura will politely share in the meal and celebration, though she will decline to pray to or sing hymns in praise of Pelor.

[GimliFett]

Grazys Senneker

The binder happily participates in Reid's ritual, glad to be enjoying good companions and good friends. Given his own vocation and means of gaining power, Grazys has no problem joining the hymns and prayers. "Jus' hope he doesn' mind a blasphemer participatin', eh?" he asks Reid at one point.

[Greyen]

Dothen

Edit- Nevermind, stop is not for the night. Carry on.
Will bring out his flute for the end of the evening and move off into the woods a ways. His clumsy flute playing not always good, but not always horrid.

If anyone goes out to him he is out by himself playing and dancing in the quiet of the forest. Obviously engrossed he probably does not notice anyone not bing too obtrusive.

Spoiler

Show

Perform Dance (1d20-2)[9]
Perform Flute (1d20-2)[12]

[Lochar]

The dryads share in Reid's offering, and also bring out a very few berries and clean water. Kisha smiles to you all. "It's not much, what we can add, but it is the first offerings of the forest in trying to regrow itself."

Sarai, once Reid is finished casting, calmly walks up next to him and sits down, picking at the food he has conjured. She doesn't say anything, but attempts to brush her hand with Reid's occasionally.

((OOC: I was fairly certain, Greyen, that this was only going to be an hour's stop, not for the day.))

[Toliudar]

Reid

The priest speaks the prayers and rituals with a certain shy stiffness, but it's clear that his heart is in them. The hymn is a simple one, designed for children, and it brings a huge smile forth when he belts it out.

Grazys' question draws a surprised look from Reid. Blasphemy is an act, not a state of being, friend. We are all together under the sun, here.

The food, thanks to Dothen's care and skill, is considerably better than might otherwise be forthcoming, especially as it is garnished with the fresh berries.

As the meal concludes, Reid fairly beams - and not just because of the "casual" touch of Sarai's hand.

Friends, we are privileged to count among us keepers of the beauty and glory of Auromar's past, warriors who fought in the war against the One to secure Auromar's present, and brave spirits who work to secure a safer and more harmonious future for this place. I was sent here with a vision to rescue souls, but it is my own soul that is now endangered - for I feel this place is becoming a kind of second home for me. Thank you, all of you, for your strength, kindness and wisdom.

He raises a glass of the dryads' water in toast.

To a sunnier future for Auromar!

Spoiler

Show

After gathering up the leftovers, Reid will be good to go. He will try to be close enough to Sarai for a chaste peck on the cheek at departure.