...and admit that the waters around you have grown...
The Gerudo Desert welcomed Ereni and Malenia back with her familiar arms, embracing them in the endless sands, the sand in their boots, the sand in their clothes, in their hair. And she welcomed Judal just the same, like a mother separated from her child at birth, now swaddling him in the love of the neverending invasion of grit. They walked their path once again, walked their path from Argos, once again back toward Jappiter, the town two of them had helped save only recently.
The single sun, now barely lighting the world, gave the desert and unexpected warmth, but the dark often reminded them of its unyielding influence by caressing them with the touch of a cool breeze blown from the northern interiors of the expanse. She, the Gerudo, was both warm and cold to her friends, and was not afraid to show it.
The desert was dead, just as dead as before; even the strange creatures who had previously come out at night to forage for food and water remained hidden as the travelers passed. Their first few days of journey were undisturbed by the indigenous life...or any life, for that matter, as they trekked onward...
“We should’ve taken the Roc,” Judal comments, not for the first time. He then starts playing a tune on his flute. Partly to pass the time, partly to muffle their complaints about him once again bringing up the Roc. It was part of the routine, almost… Just as was his spending a bit of time on each rest to sift sand through his fingers til he had just one gain left on a fingertip and to then enchant it with Magic Mouth. Some grains were instilled to play a bit of song anytime a living creature passed by, others to whisper vaguely threatening remarks. Others were just giggles or screams. It’s a big desert, the grains may never get activated… but it amused Judal to think that someday the could also get made into a brick for somebody’s house.
But mostly Judal did not mind the journey. He’d had lots of long, boring stretches in training or travels and was fairly good at keeping himself amused concocting new stories or new tunes… He tries them out on the others when he thinks they are polished enough. Or when he’s bored enough. But mostly Judal just walks on…
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Turning and turning in a widening gyre, Ereni's mind tries and cannot reconcile her devotion to Malenia and the orders which commander Atreyu and Gandalf had given them. She can find no fully satisfactory reason to justify deserting for the second time in her life as she had the first time. The wide skies and the sands of the Gerudo Desert give no answer as she stares at them. Ereni's face remains still, green eyes focused inward.
Deserting in a desert... leaving behind the Roc to make for the rocks of Malenia's mountain home... near darkness at noon where no raindrops fill any buckets, whether aimed there or not as Stasolya had preached. The puns and proselytizing scatter to pieces inside her head as her brooding thoughts chase them fruitlessly. Only in Joy's warm fur as she embraces the faithful dog does Ereni find any solace in this strange land.
"Aye, the Roc would have been faster Judal, but we are the ones disobeying orders in part, not the Roc. They are bound for King's Landing and then the Great Grass Sea as commanded." Ereni looks up at Malenia, finally meeting her friend's eyes. "What awaits us at your home?"
"Our path may be more winding, but nothing says our destination has changed," Judal replies with a smile. "Ok, sure... We're disobeying a little bit in order to allow Malenia to stop home. They disobeyed in the whole ensuring the Tarrasque died thing by staying up in the basket like frightened eggs..."
"Frightened eggs? I'm not sure that anology makes sense. But still, you get my point. It's all a matter of perspective."
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Maleniahas fallen back into her ways, That of a Mute traveler who simply walks in one direction. For what must've been hour she continues in the same direction, Towards the distant mountain range while the feelings inside of her festered and broiled. She no longer held any devotion to the Answer, Least of all Stasoyla. The Centaur had let pride blind them to what is around them, A dying world. Malenia sough the Haligtree, Through it she could seek the aid from the Jedi of the Past. Ereniand Judal were at her side, Journeying to the Mountains as they had promised her, Yet she felt a tinge of guilt for dragging them into her Personal issues with Stasoyla.
"Expect much of the same, No one had lived there in decades. The Only building left standing was My Brothers Home....." Her memory begins to linger on the fleeting memories. "Expect....Soft ground with a bottomless well, The Aroma of mildew and rotting wood mixed with the scent of Crimson Wildflowers. A Tree....Older and wiser than most on Hyboria with a special connection to the Force."
Strangely enough, Her pale lips does not move as she replies so that both of them can hear. Her voice instead finding its way into their minds. "Neither of you are beholden to me, You may turn back if you wish......But thank you for your Loyalty."
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni gazes back at Malenia and nods, shouldering her bow. Responding in her mind:
There was a secret place in the Riverwood that I knew, in Fantasia. A little like that, though I know nothing of the Force. The trees felt old and... wise. I wonder if it is still there. I would escape there as a child to laugh and cry and dream. But I have not cried since... anyway, Malenia, it is not for loyalty that I follow you. Loyalty would have kept me on that Roc bound directly for King's Landing. I hope we find the wisdom you seek at the Tree.
She touches Joy's fur as if for reassurance. Aloud she says: "Crossbowman caught in a cavalry charge has got two choices. Retreat with haste or reload and keep shooting. Whatever they choose, best not waver. Either way, they are lucky, knowing it will likely all be over soon for them and they can finally rest. I will stay the course alongside both of you." (Including Judal with her eyes in the last statement).
"I don't know any of you well yet, but I know you two tried... And that's that in my book," Judal said aloud, stil not used to the whole voice in his head thing. "I'm sure the others have... qualities. Etreyu and Gandalf seemed to have faith in them. So... there's that."
"Anyway," Judal says with some cheer. "I'm sure the four of us will do fine on our own. What can go wrong?"
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Marching forward with her gaze set on the Mountains, A sliver of regret does well inside of her as before long. She can see the Roc take to the sky and move to the south of the continent, The Answer had been split in half. Truthfully she hadnt expected Erenior Judal to follow her as she sought Counsel from those who came before her. She just knew she didnt belong within Andromeda's Answer any more after the events of that day.
"That is why I had to leave Judal, When only half of the group elected to try. I knew then my time with the Answer had come to a close....But I am glad to have you with us, In the short time we have known eachother you ahve proven to be Fearless and unwavering. In fact, If it alright with Ereni I would like to extend an invitation to join us in sparring one day. Perhaps when we are out of the desert."
Looking back at Ereni,Malenia reads the conflicted expression on her Friends features. "Loyalty or not.....Thank you." She speaks once more without moving her mouth, for only Erenito hear.
"I've no clue what answers the Haligtree will give, Nor if they will be of use or set us on a path.....We may have to set our own."
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
"Fearless? I'd known a few who'd have replaced that with stupid... But I like your choice better," Judal teases. It's quite apparent that no matter how serious a situation he will tend to aim for the humorous side of things.
"Sparring? Sure. It is good to know one another's skills and weaknesses if we're going to walk together, whatever the path. Just... be gentle with me?" he asks with a wink and a smile.
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"We can spar, aye. It is good for all of us." Ereni shrugs ruefully, remembering her bruises from the sea voyage.
She almost smiles. "Usually with Malenia, I will feel as if I am holding my own with my rapier and then she will catch me with an elbow or a kick, unexpected like a sudden fusillade from the flank..."
She looks at her two companions tentatively. "I can help either of you with your archery too, stance and angles, ease and breathing. If you want, that is."
"Thanks. I tend to be in the midst of combat though or..." Judal suddenly draws his Serpent's Fang longsword and points it off into the distance. It is but half a blink before eldritch energies swell around the blade and then blast along it's length and snake out in two beams of green, sickly but crackling energy and strike the sands about 100 feet away.
"Still it's never a bad thing to be good with everything at hand," he agrees with a shrug. "My magics can't reach the distances your arrows do so you never know..."
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
They spar, taking full advantage of the expanse of the desert, and the soft landings the sand offers. And they camp. And they walk. And in the better part of a week and a half they come to the edge of the mountains that compose the Goron Range. They're left with the option to turn to the south, travel along the beach, toward the Haligtree as it calls to Malenia, beckons her home...
After a nearly two week long footmarch from Argos and a segue through a mountain pass they find themselves along the northeastern edge of a vast sprawl of dead trees. A thin mist clings to the ground, crawling from the woods like the tendrils of a searching fiend. Creatures hoot and call to one another in the forest. At least one set of yellow eyes blinks out in the distance, and a tree can be seen far away as it walks through the congregation of its less-than-mobile relatives...
"Are you... are you in search of wisdom from the Hagiltree because you faced Vader?" Ereni looks out over the seemingly dead forest covered in tendrils mist. She gazes at Malenia, strangely appearing both sympathetic to, and envious of the stoic Eladrin for having faced the Sith Lord directly.
"I hear him at night, you know. His breathing. I never have before. I mean, back in the infantry when I was fourteen, if I heard heavy breathing in my ear at night, I'd assume it was that old degenerate Softfoot Sal over to try his luck again as he did with all us child soldiers. All I'd have to do is mumble something about his footfalls not being the only thing about him that was soft to chase him off."
Ereni shifts her stance. "But this is different. It is Vader. He is here. At least in my head."
Joyful enough during their sparing, Being able to not only continue her training with Ereni but with the added benefit of also Sparing with Judal, Another Melee fighter. She feel's.....happy in a sense. More so than she has felt in some time.
As the days turn into Nights, the Eladrin only needing a few meager hours to recharge lets her companions rest through the night as she keeps watch for any danger lurking their way. While also coming to grips with the....Visions plagueing her while she rested.
"Yes.....and...." Her voice trailed off in Responce to Ereni as they came upon the forest. Her memory attempting to recall this place, It was not as she remembered. The Forest was dead.
"I......need guidance, Guidance only those like me can give." Skeptical about revealing the true nature of the Haligtree to her companions, given the closely guarded secret had remained as such because only those uniquely tuned to the Force are able to Find the Tree without outside help. Her left brow raises as Ereni mentions hearing the Sith lord during the Night.
"I.....See his weapon, A red stroke of power cutting through the dark."She look's off into the Tree's, her eyes almost glaze over in thought and awe as she recounts her own Vision. "Vader was the first individual I met who was like me, Able to channel the Force and use it......Though he was far stronger."
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni nods at first as if she understands, though she does not really. For once she has no gloomy anecdotes or gallows humor. She looks from her friend and fellow scout, to their swordsman companion and back, hoping but uncertain that they have made the right decision.
Then she hears Malenia's final sentence. "You are like... Vader?" Ereni's teeth are suddenly on edge.
"Other than this... Force... and your weapon... you are nothing like Vader. Not because he is stronger. It is the other way around. He can only seek to destroy or dominate all he sees. The army he built in his name butchered my parents, then civilians. He is consumed by darkness, and you are not."
Her voice is choked, almost pleading. Willing it to be true. The word nothing echoes in her mind, reverberating with irony. And are you yourself not lost and consumed by darkness, Ereni? You are nothing if not enveloped by the Gloom, cradling you like a fallen lover.
“I’m not even sure it matters what we are consumed with,” Judal says, butting in despite it seeming a pretty personal conversation. “Darkness, light, good, evil, happiness, sorrow… Causes and reasons and all that? Philosophers and historians and such decide that all after the fact, it seems to me. What really matters isn’t the why. It’s the what.”
“What did they do to help other people. What did they do to make the world better. What did they do with the power they had. It’s the what that changes the world. The why only matters after the fact when they write your story… if they write your story.”
Judal takes a few more steps and then adds: “And maybe to the gods. If they exist, maybe they truly know the why and care about it. But mostly I don’t think anyone really knows the why of actions. Even their own.”
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We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
Ereni pauses despite herself and glances over laconically at Judal's seeming non-sequitur. Hadn't I just been talking about the what? Vader is and has shown himself by his actions to be a butcher bent on dominating Hyboria with armies, slaughtering innocents along the way. Or did the swordsman just pick out the "consumed by darkness" phrase and go off on a tangent like an archer targeting a lone fleeing pike-man as a cavalry charge nears?
She shrugs helplessly and turns her gaze back to Malenia. Knowing she cannot truly help her find the wisdom he seeks.
"Remember, Malenia. You are not Vader. You help people as he does not. In Jappiter, we stopped Cole and his gang with their explosives, and the Kruthiks could then collapse the tunnels to block Vaders' armies. In Argos you and Judal saved the soldiers who were trapped even though our orders were merely to ensure the Tarrasque was defeated, not necessarily to lend aid to the fleeing defenders. Yet you did so. Do not envy him."
Malenia pauses, Looking at her Prosthetic hand. The metallic fingers gleamed in their brass colouration, yet trembled as if they were flesh and bone. A slight spark of electricity running through them as she thought of the visions that had plauged her as of late.
"I......"She smiles softly, clenching her fist at her side before looking to Ereni."I know that Ereni, I am not nor do I want to be Vader." Her voice trails off as she thinks on the Prowess he had with the force, far beyond anything she had seen or accomplished with it. "I just....." The Flash of the red weapon replayed in her mind, The ease at which Vader cast her aside in their fight.
"Honestly, This Force that both he and I are able to use. I am actually fairly new to it, I've only found my talent for it when I left the Haligtree and journeyed to Argos. I never knew what it was or how powerful it can be, I believe the Ancestors can help me find out how to unlock its true potential......Beyond just pushing around some rock."
She looks back to the Mirkwood, The same curl of electricity jolting across her Prosthetic limb as she desired not be Vader......But to be as strong as him. "There is wisdom in your words Judal.....I want to be able to help people, To be better and ensure that when I leave a place. I left it better than when I found it......for that, I need strength. Strength that I have no inkling on how to utilize, I hope the Ancestors will help me with that."
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
The trek through the forest is fraught with living nightmares. It's as if everything that was once awful about the Mirkwood has been amplified to new levels of intensity. The warriors enter the forest and turn back to the east, moving along the southern edge of the Goron Range as they begin looking for Malenia's long lost and secluded home.
They spend their first night in the forest, and thunder rumbles the whole time. The sky threatens to cloud over and cry on them but never does...
Being familiar with this part of the Mirkwood and knowing full well how to reach her home, Malenia leads the Remnants of the Answer to the south western edge of the Goron Range and continues east along it. "Keep your eyes out for a small passage, It's hidden well to prevent wanderers from finding it." Pulling a stick of dried jerky from the bag at her side, she tosses it to Joy. "You be on the lookout as well"She giggles at the Dog, knowing that it's senses are far superior to any of theirs in regards to Audible sounds and Smells anyway.
The rumbling of the sky during the night didnt bother her or wake her from her trance, Keeping a watchful eye over the companions who had joined her as she sought answers of her own.
During their journey she typically remains quiet, Thinking on just what the Ancestors would be able to tell her.......or even how to communicate with them, She had never done so before but she always felt them there.
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Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
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AURYN
The Way
Part I
Come gather round people...
...wherever you roam...
...and admit that the waters around you have grown...
The Gerudo Desert welcomed Ereni and Malenia back with her familiar arms, embracing them in the endless sands, the sand in their boots, the sand in their clothes, in their hair. And she welcomed Judal just the same, like a mother separated from her child at birth, now swaddling him in the love of the neverending invasion of grit. They walked their path once again, walked their path from Argos, once again back toward Jappiter, the town two of them had helped save only recently.
The single sun, now barely lighting the world, gave the desert and unexpected warmth, but the dark often reminded them of its unyielding influence by caressing them with the touch of a cool breeze blown from the northern interiors of the expanse. She, the Gerudo, was both warm and cold to her friends, and was not afraid to show it.
The desert was dead, just as dead as before; even the strange creatures who had previously come out at night to forage for food and water remained hidden as the travelers passed. Their first few days of journey were undisturbed by the indigenous life...or any life, for that matter, as they trekked onward...
Onward...to Malenia's home...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
“We should’ve taken the Roc,” Judal comments, not for the first time. He then starts playing a tune on his flute. Partly to pass the time, partly to muffle their complaints about him once again bringing up the Roc. It was part of the routine, almost… Just as was his spending a bit of time on each rest to sift sand through his fingers til he had just one gain left on a fingertip and to then enchant it with Magic Mouth. Some grains were instilled to play a bit of song anytime a living creature passed by, others to whisper vaguely threatening remarks. Others were just giggles or screams. It’s a big desert, the grains may never get activated… but it amused Judal to think that someday the could also get made into a brick for somebody’s house.
But mostly Judal did not mind the journey. He’d had lots of long, boring stretches in training or travels and was fairly good at keeping himself amused concocting new stories or new tunes… He tries them out on the others when he thinks they are polished enough. Or when he’s bored enough. But mostly Judal just walks on…
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Turning and turning in a widening gyre, Ereni's mind tries and cannot reconcile her devotion to Malenia and the orders which commander Atreyu and Gandalf had given them. She can find no fully satisfactory reason to justify deserting for the second time in her life as she had the first time. The wide skies and the sands of the Gerudo Desert give no answer as she stares at them. Ereni's face remains still, green eyes focused inward.
Deserting in a desert... leaving behind the Roc to make for the rocks of Malenia's mountain home... near darkness at noon where no raindrops fill any buckets, whether aimed there or not as Stasolya had preached. The puns and proselytizing scatter to pieces inside her head as her brooding thoughts chase them fruitlessly. Only in Joy's warm fur as she embraces the faithful dog does Ereni find any solace in this strange land.
"Aye, the Roc would have been faster Judal, but we are the ones disobeying orders in part, not the Roc. They are bound for King's Landing and then the Great Grass Sea as commanded." Ereni looks up at Malenia, finally meeting her friend's eyes. "What awaits us at your home?"
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"Our path may be more winding, but nothing says our destination has changed," Judal replies with a smile. "Ok, sure... We're disobeying a little bit in order to allow Malenia to stop home. They disobeyed in the whole ensuring the Tarrasque died thing by staying up in the basket like frightened eggs..."
"Frightened eggs? I'm not sure that anology makes sense. But still, you get my point. It's all a matter of perspective."
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Malenia has fallen back into her ways, That of a Mute traveler who simply walks in one direction. For what must've been hour she continues in the same direction, Towards the distant mountain range while the feelings inside of her festered and broiled. She no longer held any devotion to the Answer, Least of all Stasoyla. The Centaur had let pride blind them to what is around them, A dying world. Malenia sough the Haligtree, Through it she could seek the aid from the Jedi of the Past. Ereni and Judal were at her side, Journeying to the Mountains as they had promised her, Yet she felt a tinge of guilt for dragging them into her Personal issues with Stasoyla.
"Expect much of the same, No one had lived there in decades. The Only building left standing was My Brothers Home....." Her memory begins to linger on the fleeting memories. "Expect....Soft ground with a bottomless well, The Aroma of mildew and rotting wood mixed with the scent of Crimson Wildflowers. A Tree....Older and wiser than most on Hyboria with a special connection to the Force."
Strangely enough, Her pale lips does not move as she replies so that both of them can hear. Her voice instead finding its way into their minds. "Neither of you are beholden to me, You may turn back if you wish......But thank you for your Loyalty."
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni gazes back at Malenia and nods, shouldering her bow. Responding in her mind:
There was a secret place in the Riverwood that I knew, in Fantasia. A little like that, though I know nothing of the Force. The trees felt old and... wise. I wonder if it is still there. I would escape there as a child to laugh and cry and dream. But I have not cried since... anyway, Malenia, it is not for loyalty that I follow you. Loyalty would have kept me on that Roc bound directly for King's Landing. I hope we find the wisdom you seek at the Tree.
She touches Joy's fur as if for reassurance. Aloud she says: "Crossbowman caught in a cavalry charge has got two choices. Retreat with haste or reload and keep shooting. Whatever they choose, best not waver. Either way, they are lucky, knowing it will likely all be over soon for them and they can finally rest. I will stay the course alongside both of you." (Including Judal with her eyes in the last statement).
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"I don't know any of you well yet, but I know you two tried... And that's that in my book," Judal said aloud, stil not used to the whole voice in his head thing. "I'm sure the others have... qualities. Etreyu and Gandalf seemed to have faith in them. So... there's that."
"Anyway," Judal says with some cheer. "I'm sure the four of us will do fine on our own. What can go wrong?"
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Marching forward with her gaze set on the Mountains, A sliver of regret does well inside of her as before long. She can see the Roc take to the sky and move to the south of the continent, The Answer had been split in half. Truthfully she hadnt expected Ereni or Judal to follow her as she sought Counsel from those who came before her. She just knew she didnt belong within Andromeda's Answer any more after the events of that day.
"That is why I had to leave Judal, When only half of the group elected to try. I knew then my time with the Answer had come to a close....But I am glad to have you with us, In the short time we have known eachother you ahve proven to be Fearless and unwavering. In fact, If it alright with Ereni I would like to extend an invitation to join us in sparring one day. Perhaps when we are out of the desert."
Looking back at Ereni, Malenia reads the conflicted expression on her Friends features. "Loyalty or not.....Thank you." She speaks once more without moving her mouth, for only Ereni to hear.
"I've no clue what answers the Haligtree will give, Nor if they will be of use or set us on a path.....We may have to set our own."
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
"Fearless? I'd known a few who'd have replaced that with stupid... But I like your choice better," Judal teases. It's quite apparent that no matter how serious a situation he will tend to aim for the humorous side of things.
"Sparring? Sure. It is good to know one another's skills and weaknesses if we're going to walk together, whatever the path. Just... be gentle with me?" he asks with a wink and a smile.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
"We can spar, aye. It is good for all of us." Ereni shrugs ruefully, remembering her bruises from the sea voyage.
She almost smiles. "Usually with Malenia, I will feel as if I am holding my own with my rapier and then she will catch me with an elbow or a kick, unexpected like a sudden fusillade from the flank..."
She looks at her two companions tentatively. "I can help either of you with your archery too, stance and angles, ease and breathing. If you want, that is."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"Thanks. I tend to be in the midst of combat though or..." Judal suddenly draws his Serpent's Fang longsword and points it off into the distance. It is but half a blink before eldritch energies swell around the blade and then blast along it's length and snake out in two beams of green, sickly but crackling energy and strike the sands about 100 feet away.
"Still it's never a bad thing to be good with everything at hand," he agrees with a shrug. "My magics can't reach the distances your arrows do so you never know..."
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
They spar, taking full advantage of the expanse of the desert, and the soft landings the sand offers. And they camp. And they walk. And in the better part of a week and a half they come to the edge of the mountains that compose the Goron Range. They're left with the option to turn to the south, travel along the beach, toward the Haligtree as it calls to Malenia, beckons her home...
After a nearly two week long footmarch from Argos and a segue through a mountain pass they find themselves along the northeastern edge of a vast sprawl of dead trees. A thin mist clings to the ground, crawling from the woods like the tendrils of a searching fiend. Creatures hoot and call to one another in the forest. At least one set of yellow eyes blinks out in the distance, and a tree can be seen far away as it walks through the congregation of its less-than-mobile relatives...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
"Are you... are you in search of wisdom from the Hagiltree because you faced Vader?" Ereni looks out over the seemingly dead forest covered in tendrils mist. She gazes at Malenia, strangely appearing both sympathetic to, and envious of the stoic Eladrin for having faced the Sith Lord directly.
"I hear him at night, you know. His breathing. I never have before. I mean, back in the infantry when I was fourteen, if I heard heavy breathing in my ear at night, I'd assume it was that old degenerate Softfoot Sal over to try his luck again as he did with all us child soldiers. All I'd have to do is mumble something about his footfalls not being the only thing about him that was soft to chase him off."
Ereni shifts her stance. "But this is different. It is Vader. He is here. At least in my head."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Joyful enough during their sparing, Being able to not only continue her training with Ereni but with the added benefit of also Sparing with Judal, Another Melee fighter. She feel's.....happy in a sense. More so than she has felt in some time.
As the days turn into Nights, the Eladrin only needing a few meager hours to recharge lets her companions rest through the night as she keeps watch for any danger lurking their way. While also coming to grips with the....Visions plagueing her while she rested.
"Yes.....and...." Her voice trailed off in Responce to Ereni as they came upon the forest. Her memory attempting to recall this place, It was not as she remembered. The Forest was dead.
"I......need guidance, Guidance only those like me can give." Skeptical about revealing the true nature of the Haligtree to her companions, given the closely guarded secret had remained as such because only those uniquely tuned to the Force are able to Find the Tree without outside help. Her left brow raises as Ereni mentions hearing the Sith lord during the Night.
"I.....See his weapon, A red stroke of power cutting through the dark." She look's off into the Tree's, her eyes almost glaze over in thought and awe as she recounts her own Vision. "Vader was the first individual I met who was like me, Able to channel the Force and use it......Though he was far stronger."
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
Ereni nods at first as if she understands, though she does not really. For once she has no gloomy anecdotes or gallows humor. She looks from her friend and fellow scout, to their swordsman companion and back, hoping but uncertain that they have made the right decision.
Then she hears Malenia's final sentence. "You are like... Vader?" Ereni's teeth are suddenly on edge.
"Other than this... Force... and your weapon... you are nothing like Vader. Not because he is stronger. It is the other way around. He can only seek to destroy or dominate all he sees. The army he built in his name butchered my parents, then civilians. He is consumed by darkness, and you are not."
Her voice is choked, almost pleading. Willing it to be true. The word nothing echoes in her mind, reverberating with irony. And are you yourself not lost and consumed by darkness, Ereni? You are nothing if not enveloped by the Gloom, cradling you like a fallen lover.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
“I’m not even sure it matters what we are consumed with,” Judal says, butting in despite it seeming a pretty personal conversation. “Darkness, light, good, evil, happiness, sorrow… Causes and reasons and all that? Philosophers and historians and such decide that all after the fact, it seems to me. What really matters isn’t the why. It’s the what.”
“What did they do to help other people. What did they do to make the world better. What did they do with the power they had. It’s the what that changes the world. The why only matters after the fact when they write your story… if they write your story.”
Judal takes a few more steps and then adds: “And maybe to the gods. If they exist, maybe they truly know the why and care about it. But mostly I don’t think anyone really knows the why of actions. Even their own.”
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Ereni pauses despite herself and glances over laconically at Judal's seeming non-sequitur. Hadn't I just been talking about the what? Vader is and has shown himself by his actions to be a butcher bent on dominating Hyboria with armies, slaughtering innocents along the way. Or did the swordsman just pick out the "consumed by darkness" phrase and go off on a tangent like an archer targeting a lone fleeing pike-man as a cavalry charge nears?
She shrugs helplessly and turns her gaze back to Malenia. Knowing she cannot truly help her find the wisdom he seeks.
"Remember, Malenia. You are not Vader. You help people as he does not. In Jappiter, we stopped Cole and his gang with their explosives, and the Kruthiks could then collapse the tunnels to block Vaders' armies. In Argos you and Judal saved the soldiers who were trapped even though our orders were merely to ensure the Tarrasque was defeated, not necessarily to lend aid to the fleeing defenders. Yet you did so. Do not envy him."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Malenia pauses, Looking at her Prosthetic hand. The metallic fingers gleamed in their brass colouration, yet trembled as if they were flesh and bone. A slight spark of electricity running through them as she thought of the visions that had plauged her as of late.
"I......" She smiles softly, clenching her fist at her side before looking to Ereni. "I know that Ereni, I am not nor do I want to be Vader." Her voice trails off as she thinks on the Prowess he had with the force, far beyond anything she had seen or accomplished with it. "I just....." The Flash of the red weapon replayed in her mind, The ease at which Vader cast her aside in their fight.
"Honestly, This Force that both he and I are able to use. I am actually fairly new to it, I've only found my talent for it when I left the Haligtree and journeyed to Argos. I never knew what it was or how powerful it can be, I believe the Ancestors can help me find out how to unlock its true potential......Beyond just pushing around some rock."
She looks back to the Mirkwood, The same curl of electricity jolting across her Prosthetic limb as she desired not be Vader......But to be as strong as him. "There is wisdom in your words Judal.....I want to be able to help people, To be better and ensure that when I leave a place. I left it better than when I found it......for that, I need strength. Strength that I have no inkling on how to utilize, I hope the Ancestors will help me with that."
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny
The trek through the forest is fraught with living nightmares. It's as if everything that was once awful about the Mirkwood has been amplified to new levels of intensity. The warriors enter the forest and turn back to the east, moving along the southern edge of the Goron Range as they begin looking for Malenia's long lost and secluded home.
They spend their first night in the forest, and thunder rumbles the whole time. The sky threatens to cloud over and cry on them but never does...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Being familiar with this part of the Mirkwood and knowing full well how to reach her home, Malenia leads the Remnants of the Answer to the south western edge of the Goron Range and continues east along it. "Keep your eyes out for a small passage, It's hidden well to prevent wanderers from finding it." Pulling a stick of dried jerky from the bag at her side, she tosses it to Joy. "You be on the lookout as well" She giggles at the Dog, knowing that it's senses are far superior to any of theirs in regards to Audible sounds and Smells anyway.
The rumbling of the sky during the night didnt bother her or wake her from her trance, Keeping a watchful eye over the companions who had joined her as she sought answers of her own.
During their journey she typically remains quiet, Thinking on just what the Ancestors would be able to tell her.......or even how to communicate with them, She had never done so before but she always felt them there.
Malenia - [Monk - Way of the Jedi] - Auryn: Princess of Destiny