Muir never shy to tell a story "Yes, upon reaching Lumithor, we asked for his help, he in return asked us for a favor while he checked in on his mother. We guarded the gates to the Shadowfell and defeated wave after wave of zombies and several let's call them captains of the Shadowfell. Lumithor returned as we defeated them all. He told us that Vox Tronitor is chained in her castle but is no longer alive but instead undead....This was all done by Nivarra the witch who came to this world long ago. She is raising an undead Kobold army. Every kobold slain is sent to her unknowingly by the Djinn. Where she makes them her undead slaves. My theory is she is trying to create an army large enough to enslave and conquer this realm to then defeat the spirit of Lumithor and access the Shadowfell. That last part is only a theory based on what I have seen and learned while traveling here. Nivarra created this war between the followers of the Raven Queen and made Lumithor seem like a traitor. This was all her doing."
Elthana takes hold of Vin's upper arms and looks at the boy, shoot the man. She has to keep reminding herself that Vin was a man now with all he had been through, and she could see it in his eyes. "Thank you. That was incredibly thoughtful. Yes, this will very much help with that."
The elf follows her friends into the room, feeling a bit of the gravitas as she does. She thinks to the hat and is realizing how grateful she is to have it now, traveling back through the cities of the broken isle will be much easier.
She is about to start, surprising herself that actually wants to speak to this council, never one to typically talk to a council openly, only answer questions that are asked of her. But just as she is about to start, Muir does and she can't help but chuckle to herself. Of course the big oaf dives right into the meat of it, no preamble at all.
Vin smiles a little shyly at Elthana, happy that she was pleased. When they enter the hall, stands quietly amongst the others, not expecting to understand what is being said by the elders. He is pleasantly surprised when the old kobold casts something akin to tongues on herself.
He listens intently to Muir's summation of events, and to his theory about Nivara's plans. He watches the elders carefully for their reactions to this grave news.
Neferox simply sits and has a good scratch at her ear with a hind paw.
Khoso sits a moment in stubbed shock, Ömertyr sits up a little straighter though no one is completely sure that he understands what Muir just said, and Serafina leans back in her seat, chin in her hands deep in thought, "my first thoughts are cutting off the Djiini's access to mornlyf. The fact that they are have been using that should have tipped us off, it's so simple now that we know, the more intact the body, the more useful it is for raising and corrupting... We must also alert the Djiini, though they will not listen to us." Serafina begins ruminating on the next steps.
Hector sitting by the side of the room to the left of you all leans forward and buried his face in his hands. "Ohhh Nivara, what have you done?" He whispers to himself, but is quickly cut off by Kohso who address Muir directly, "you say the Djiini have no knowledge of why they are killing and sending our kin to this witch, how can you be certain?".
Griff looks at the floor eyes wide, and then subtley side steps, slinking behind Sam.
"That is a good point that I cannot be certain. I am one of research, facts, observations that help me make my conclusions. I will say that I have not had conversations with all of the Djinn. We have only spoken with Djinn Akkin who, seemingly, believes that Vox Tronitor is alive and that he and his island are doing the work for Vox. The whole of that island believes in the lies that have been spread. If any of my companions believe otherwise I will let them speak to it, but it is my belief he does not know or understand what is happening based on our conversations."
"Let's keep in mind that all not undead are bad, eh?" Sam whispers over to Muir. "Maybe tone that bit done a bit?"
"Can you?" Sam chimes in with a bit of surprise a bit later. "Cut off their mornlyf supply? Why hasn't this been done once it was known what vile crap it does?"
"Scratches only!" Sam hisses over to Neferox. "No licking yourself in front of the Elders..."
But aside from the occasional aside, Sam mostly keeps quiet and watches the proceedings... And tries to listen as well.
In hushed, furtive tones, Griff and Sam exchange a few words amongst themselves. After the brief exchange Griff gives a nod and makes a sharp inhale, preparing himself...
"Haaaaaaaave you met Griff?" Sam suddenly asks loudly, boisterously and in a bubbly manner. "Griff is a friend of ours and has been an immense help, back in our own realm and then once we got here in teaching us how to do the gravity thing, how to get from place to place, and in standing in to help replace Lumithor while the dragon rushed off to check on their mum. Griff is standing with us and helping us in this manner. And as such he has some words he would like to share..."
Serafina gives a nod to Sam, "don't worry I warned them of your... Situation, a curse that you are working on fixing, you'll find no judgement here."
Griff's feathers puff up a little and he looks like the kid who has just been called upon in class, taking another deep breath he begins, "I uhh, I am being one of Akiin's generals. I was growing up there, I am having a wife and children there too, I am and continue to be sworn to the Isle of Akiin. But I have been witnessing many things here, things that are changing the way I am looking at our realm, and I can be confirming that if akiin knew that the kolbolds he sends to the Vox Tontritor are being used to raise an undead army, then he would not be complying. Akiin is telling us that these orders are coming from Vox Tontritor directly, and not even the djiini are being at liberty to argue with this. I am believing that if they truly knew that the vox is being dead and that they are working under indirect orders from this Nivara, then there would be an uprising the likes of which have never been seeing before...
I can only be apologising for the oppression that this isle and the dragon kin community has been facing over the past few thousand years, I apologising for the part that I had in it as well as the part that my men are taking under my order.
But I am believing that this position I am being in could be beneficial to this cause, akiin will listen to me, and if I were to be accompanying this group to Shenoh then I am believing that we could be raising her military might against the Nivara." He quickly lowers his head waiting, ready to flinch at a moments notice but the first to speak is hector.
"I brought this guard to our isle against his will, and unarmed. After attempting to convince him to stay for the time being, I agreed to keep his identity a secret for his safety, if there is anyone to blame for his presence here then the punishment should be mine. But I didn't believe him to be a threat to our community, and I still don't."
Kohso looks from Griff, to Hector, to the group and then finally to serafina, who nods in agreement as response. Kohso stands and begins pacing, "this is a predicament. But it gives us options... Hector stop grovelling, this isle has always been open to all who mean it no harm, the rule of no soldiers here was from the djiini side after they invaded last. Just another reason to keep us as unknowns, to perpetrate and propagate their hate for us... But that stops now, with this news we can free ourselves, but do we know what Nivara's goal is, do we know how long we have until she strikes?"
Hearing how easily their information was being accepted, Elthana breathed a sigh of relief. She knew the dijiinis and all were not going to be as easily convinced, but at least this was a start. And having Griff on their side? Man, that made things so much better. She wonders if she had never been gifted Gust....
Elthana first glances at Serafina, but then looks to Kohso and swallows hard. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but well... all cards on the table and all that. "Excuse me, I don't know the answer to what her goal is, though probably world domination wouldn't be beyond her thoughts, or how long we have.. but.. well, I have a strange connection to her. There are times when I sleep that I have found her in my dreams. Might not be a bad idea for me to sleep after our meeting to see if anything comes of it? I can't promise anything, but it's worth a shot."
"That's a great idea!" Sam exclaims, turning to look at Elthana.
"Not."
"I mean c'mon... Are you finding her in your dreams or is she finding you?" Sam asks, the worry evident. "No offense El but she is the more powerful and weirdy abilities one. If there is a dreamtime connection between you two it is likely her that is instigating it. And even if neither of you are causing it, it's still likely her who would have more control, find out more from it..."
Serafina stands abruptly, holding one hand out to the side of her, toward the other elders, to gesture that she has this one. She looks to Elthana a heat rising in her cheeks as she flushes a little with anger but also a touch of embarrasment.
"No!, I quite agree with Sam and you have been warned about this.
When you told me about the dreams you'd been having in the cave and the memories you'd been picking up from Nivara, I warned you. The more exposure you have to that, the more likely her memories are to influence you as a person, the more likely that her personality takes a foot hold in your body and begins taking over... I have kept a close eye on you, and along with the promises and convincing arguments of your group, I have not seen sign of this possible take over, nor have i seen sign that you need restraining or putting down permanently. but you should do nothing to try increasing that possibility, or we will be forced to defend ourselves, do you understand."
Kohso, is shocked at first and looks at elthana in a new light, an untrusting light, But as serafina explains and lays out the facts, Kohso seems impressed with her colleague, and nods in agreement.
Hector, also stands, staring daggers at his wife Serafina, "she's not going to turn! she's not going to be like that, we should at least let her try, this could be a massive advantage! and if anything bad happens i could take her away from here, far away where she won't be a threat!" his voice barely holds together through his clear and apparent upset.
to which Serafina takes a deep breath, calming herself so as to not further any resentment between the two, before speaking calmly, "your sister's actions cannot be redeemed by Elthana. I see your desperation my love, but Elthana is not Nivara, nor does Elthanas success in being a better person reflect upon you, or what could have been for your family... I'm sorry but this has larger consequences than saving simply safeguarding some modicum of your pride or grief..." The colour drains from hectors face and he stands shocked for a moment before turning and wordlessly leaving the room. Griff whispers something to Sam. The silence that hangs in the air as the doors close is palpably tense, but Serafina sits once more and lets out a large sigh.
Vin has stayed silent up to now, and simply listened to the conversation, but Serafina’s words strike a nerve with him and he can’t contain himself.
”Put her down!?”, he says, a note of anger in his voice. Neferox stops scratching herself as she notices Vin’s change in demeanour, and her focus shifts to Serafina.
”Your own words disagree with you. Elthana is not Nivara. She, and the rest of us, have done our best by your people. We came here with selfish purpose, but we have put ourselves in danger as much for you as ourselves. Without us you would still be clueless. And she has offered to expose herself to harm to help you. A simple no thank you might have been a more fitting and noble response. But be assured, any attempts to put her down will be strongly resisted”, he snaps back
Neferox begins growling and moving from her relaxed sitting position to all fours, slightly crouched and tense.
"which is why, as I said, I am against it, having seen no reason and no evidence of nivara's personality effecting or controlling her, and furthermore why I am absolutely against her reaching out to nivara, only madness lies upon that path. But your Defence of Elthana is expected and noted." Serafina responds curtly
Muir sighs loud enough to draw eyes on him "Yes let us all take a deep breath. In through the nose and out through the mouth. I always found deep breathing in nature, taking it all in, to be quite relaxing. Granted we aren't in nature but it is still useful. Elthana's suggestion, although admirable and courageous, poses too many what ifs that create too much angst and anxieties to the people in this room. Hector is misguided because he is trying to make up for the past. Let us look at what we know. We know Nivarra is responsible for a destruction of a city, the death of Lumithor's physical body, a genocide of the people of this realm, she wants to get into the Shadowfell, and has a large undead army. Does she need to take over this whole realm? Possibly, that was the deal with the leader of the Shadowfell...or maybe her army is to defeat the spirit of Lumithor, it has difficult to know. We need to convince the Djinn to stop this madness, join with each other, and stop Nivarra. That is what we know. Now that we all have the same information, no idea is a bad idea, Elthanna had an idea. Most of us here believe it is too dangerous. What other options can we come up with?"
Sam takes a small step forward and closer to Elthana, a silent but noticeable reaction to the reckless and hazardous comment about putting her down. The truly observant would even note the subtle way in which his grip upon his maul changed.
Sam himself makes no verbal response but he does turn his eyes and smile at Vin when he does. Sam may never think of Vin as the most intimidating of the group but it warms his heart to see him step up like that and it should tell the "elders" something about them that even the scrawniest amongst them are ready to stand up and defend the rest.
"If we wait for you to breathe in through the nose we may be here all day," Sam grumbles to Muir.
Griff can't help but let out a half stifled chuckle at Sam's remark, breaking the tension of the situation at least in his head.
Ömertyr stands, towering over everyone and stretches, likely from being sat too long and too bored. He comes around the front of the table and sits on it, this perch being a lot better for the mist giant's back. He speaks, a slow and grinding tongue that likely only Sam understands as giant.
"Hey uhhhh, what's going on? Is there anything I can do to help you guys, Runecarver?"
"Going on?" Sam asks, confused. "Sorry... Have you not been able to follow all this? Juggling all the languages can be a bother..."
IF Ömertyr was indeed not listening in on the right language then Sam will catch him up the best he can. First he'll check to see if he was in on the Serafina recap before the group even arrived or not, hopefully not having to catch him up on the full story since last they talked. But if so... Sam does so. With some forgotten bits and bobs, I am sure, and some creative embellishments of his might as well. As for the current conversation, Sam gives the briefest of explanations - "Elthana offered to stop working at keeping Nivara's thoughts and such out of her head in order to try to gain information that way... So far everyone else thinks that is a bad idea." Sam will then stay close to Ömertyr for the rest of the meeting to try to fill him in on the go...
IF Ömertyr HAS heard the whole meeting then Sam gets all quizzical looking. "Ummm... All that. What everyone has been talking about. That is what is going on... What you mean??"
At first Elthana is surprised by Serafina's words. She knows she shouldn't be, it's just that after fighting along side one another and seeing how she was with Lumithor... Elthana gets angry with herself for letting her guard down, she should have known better.
But as Hector stands up for her, more than she thought he rightfully should, she feels both a kinship with him and pity for the man as Elthana is unwittingly driving a wedge between him and his wife. As he storms out, she has a fleeting thought to go with him, but stands her ground.
She is glad she does. She would always know that Vin has her back, her team has her back.. it was really brought to the test when she admitted to killing Sam's wife, and they stuck with her, but the way Vin responded to Serafina, in front of the elder council... she'll never forget it.
She waits to hear what the elders say to Muir's comments and appreciates Sam's movements towards her, she almost smiles because of it, but she stands stoic as ever.
After it becomes readily apparent that Ömertyr hasn't been following along, Sam gives him the low down of happenings, and the two discuss some things in giant with eachother for a moment.
Meanwhile kohso finally speaks on the Elthana subject, "there will be no putting anyone down, rest assured. Though I believe what my battle hardened colleague here was trying to say is that if there is a threat that nivara could find a way to force her way out through Elthana, it would be in everyone's best interests to minimise the chances of that happening. If not for everyone else's sake then for Elthana's, the offer is appreciated and I understand the risks you would be putting yourself under aren't to be taken lightly.
As it stands now, we need to plan. Griff here as a general can vouch for your passage to any of the Djiini's isles in this realm. This is useful. You are all outsiders who I hope are willing to do what is necessary to stop Novara, as her plans could very well effect you realm too. The question before we went off on this tangent was figuring out when Nivara will strike, it seems that she has the forces and has manipulated this entire realm to her favour but has not done anything with this in 4000 years, and so my best guess is that she must be missing something, why has she waited so long? Surely taking over the isles or taking control of the Shadowfell gate would be a breeze to anyone who could kill the Vox or have leagues of our brethren raised and corrupted at her beck and call... So what is she waiting for?" Kohso sits and thinks, leaving the floor open for anyone's musings or guess work.
"She has power. Sounds like she has an army," Sam says, interrupting his side conversation with Ömertyr to do so. "I was just coincidentally talking to my friend here about travel arrangements... And I think that could indeed be her issue. It's one thing to have an army. It is another thing getting them to where they are needed."
Sam thinks a moment, perhaps even scratching his head, but then continues on. "Unless she can summon a portal large and lasting enough to move an army, she would need to move the army to a portal, no?"
But just because Sam has a squirrel's attention span that doesn't mean Ömertyr does. The giant continued speaking to Sam even as Sam made his aside.
"..." Sam says, blinking, after Ömertyr comments to him. Sam looks surprised and a bit confused. Sam then shakes his head and tells himself the giant must know what he talks about and have a plan. Looking to the others he loudly whispers: "Hey guys, we got a ride!"
Muir never shy to tell a story "Yes, upon reaching Lumithor, we asked for his help, he in return asked us for a favor while he checked in on his mother. We guarded the gates to the Shadowfell and defeated wave after wave of zombies and several let's call them captains of the Shadowfell. Lumithor returned as we defeated them all. He told us that Vox Tronitor is chained in her castle but is no longer alive but instead undead....This was all done by Nivarra the witch who came to this world long ago. She is raising an undead Kobold army. Every kobold slain is sent to her unknowingly by the Djinn. Where she makes them her undead slaves. My theory is she is trying to create an army large enough to enslave and conquer this realm to then defeat the spirit of Lumithor and access the Shadowfell. That last part is only a theory based on what I have seen and learned while traveling here. Nivarra created this war between the followers of the Raven Queen and made Lumithor seem like a traitor. This was all her doing."
Elthana takes hold of Vin's upper arms and looks at the boy, shoot the man. She has to keep reminding herself that Vin was a man now with all he had been through, and she could see it in his eyes. "Thank you. That was incredibly thoughtful. Yes, this will very much help with that."
The elf follows her friends into the room, feeling a bit of the gravitas as she does. She thinks to the hat and is realizing how grateful she is to have it now, traveling back through the cities of the broken isle will be much easier.
She is about to start, surprising herself that actually wants to speak to this council, never one to typically talk to a council openly, only answer questions that are asked of her. But just as she is about to start, Muir does and she can't help but chuckle to herself. Of course the big oaf dives right into the meat of it, no preamble at all.
Vin smiles a little shyly at Elthana, happy that she was pleased. When they enter the hall, stands quietly amongst the others, not expecting to understand what is being said by the elders. He is pleasantly surprised when the old kobold casts something akin to tongues on herself.
He listens intently to Muir's summation of events, and to his theory about Nivara's plans. He watches the elders carefully for their reactions to this grave news.
Neferox simply sits and has a good scratch at her ear with a hind paw.
Insight: 7+1=8 (Passive: 11)
Khoso sits a moment in stubbed shock, Ömertyr sits up a little straighter though no one is completely sure that he understands what Muir just said, and Serafina leans back in her seat, chin in her hands deep in thought, "my first thoughts are cutting off the Djiini's access to mornlyf. The fact that they are have been using that should have tipped us off, it's so simple now that we know, the more intact the body, the more useful it is for raising and corrupting... We must also alert the Djiini, though they will not listen to us." Serafina begins ruminating on the next steps.
Hector sitting by the side of the room to the left of you all leans forward and buried his face in his hands. "Ohhh Nivara, what have you done?" He whispers to himself, but is quickly cut off by Kohso who address Muir directly, "you say the Djiini have no knowledge of why they are killing and sending our kin to this witch, how can you be certain?".
Griff looks at the floor eyes wide, and then subtley side steps, slinking behind Sam.
"That is a good point that I cannot be certain. I am one of research, facts, observations that help me make my conclusions. I will say that I have not had conversations with all of the Djinn. We have only spoken with Djinn Akkin who, seemingly, believes that Vox Tronitor is alive and that he and his island are doing the work for Vox. The whole of that island believes in the lies that have been spread. If any of my companions believe otherwise I will let them speak to it, but it is my belief he does not know or understand what is happening based on our conversations."
"Let's keep in mind that all not undead are bad, eh?" Sam whispers over to Muir. "Maybe tone that bit done a bit?"
"Can you?" Sam chimes in with a bit of surprise a bit later. "Cut off their mornlyf supply? Why hasn't this been done once it was known what vile crap it does?"
"Scratches only!" Sam hisses over to Neferox. "No licking yourself in front of the Elders..."
But aside from the occasional aside, Sam mostly keeps quiet and watches the proceedings... And tries to listen as well.
In hushed, furtive tones, Griff and Sam exchange a few words amongst themselves. After the brief exchange Griff gives a nod and makes a sharp inhale, preparing himself...
"Haaaaaaaave you met Griff?" Sam suddenly asks loudly, boisterously and in a bubbly manner. "Griff is a friend of ours and has been an immense help, back in our own realm and then once we got here in teaching us how to do the gravity thing, how to get from place to place, and in standing in to help replace Lumithor while the dragon rushed off to check on their mum. Griff is standing with us and helping us in this manner. And as such he has some words he would like to share..."
Sam then turns to look at Griff. "Well? Share..."
Serafina gives a nod to Sam, "don't worry I warned them of your... Situation, a curse that you are working on fixing, you'll find no judgement here."
Griff's feathers puff up a little and he looks like the kid who has just been called upon in class, taking another deep breath he begins, "I uhh, I am being one of Akiin's generals. I was growing up there, I am having a wife and children there too, I am and continue to be sworn to the Isle of Akiin. But I have been witnessing many things here, things that are changing the way I am looking at our realm, and I can be confirming that if akiin knew that the kolbolds he sends to the Vox Tontritor are being used to raise an undead army, then he would not be complying. Akiin is telling us that these orders are coming from Vox Tontritor directly, and not even the djiini are being at liberty to argue with this. I am believing that if they truly knew that the vox is being dead and that they are working under indirect orders from this Nivara, then there would be an uprising the likes of which have never been seeing before...
I can only be apologising for the oppression that this isle and the dragon kin community has been facing over the past few thousand years, I apologising for the part that I had in it as well as the part that my men are taking under my order.
But I am believing that this position I am being in could be beneficial to this cause, akiin will listen to me, and if I were to be accompanying this group to Shenoh then I am believing that we could be raising her military might against the Nivara." He quickly lowers his head waiting, ready to flinch at a moments notice but the first to speak is hector.
"I brought this guard to our isle against his will, and unarmed. After attempting to convince him to stay for the time being, I agreed to keep his identity a secret for his safety, if there is anyone to blame for his presence here then the punishment should be mine. But I didn't believe him to be a threat to our community, and I still don't."
Kohso looks from Griff, to Hector, to the group and then finally to serafina, who nods in agreement as response. Kohso stands and begins pacing, "this is a predicament. But it gives us options... Hector stop grovelling, this isle has always been open to all who mean it no harm, the rule of no soldiers here was from the djiini side after they invaded last. Just another reason to keep us as unknowns, to perpetrate and propagate their hate for us... But that stops now, with this news we can free ourselves, but do we know what Nivara's goal is, do we know how long we have until she strikes?"
Hearing how easily their information was being accepted, Elthana breathed a sigh of relief. She knew the dijiinis and all were not going to be as easily convinced, but at least this was a start. And having Griff on their side? Man, that made things so much better. She wonders if she had never been gifted Gust....
Elthana first glances at Serafina, but then looks to Kohso and swallows hard. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but well... all cards on the table and all that. "Excuse me, I don't know the answer to what her goal is, though probably world domination wouldn't be beyond her thoughts, or how long we have.. but.. well, I have a strange connection to her. There are times when I sleep that I have found her in my dreams. Might not be a bad idea for me to sleep after our meeting to see if anything comes of it? I can't promise anything, but it's worth a shot."
"That's a great idea!" Sam exclaims, turning to look at Elthana.
"Not."
"I mean c'mon... Are you finding her in your dreams or is she finding you?" Sam asks, the worry evident. "No offense El but she is the more powerful and weirdy abilities one. If there is a dreamtime connection between you two it is likely her that is instigating it. And even if neither of you are causing it, it's still likely her who would have more control, find out more from it..."
Serafina stands abruptly, holding one hand out to the side of her, toward the other elders, to gesture that she has this one. She looks to Elthana a heat rising in her cheeks as she flushes a little with anger but also a touch of embarrasment.
"No!, I quite agree with Sam and you have been warned about this.
When you told me about the dreams you'd been having in the cave and the memories you'd been picking up from Nivara, I warned you.
The more exposure you have to that, the more likely her memories are to influence you as a person, the more likely that her personality takes a foot hold in your body and begins taking over... I have kept a close eye on you, and along with the promises and convincing arguments of your group, I have not seen sign of this possible take over, nor have i seen sign that you need restraining or putting down permanently. but you should do nothing to try increasing that possibility, or we will be forced to defend ourselves, do you understand."
Kohso, is shocked at first and looks at elthana in a new light, an untrusting light, But as serafina explains and lays out the facts, Kohso seems impressed with her colleague, and nods in agreement.
Hector, also stands, staring daggers at his wife Serafina, "she's not going to turn! she's not going to be like that, we should at least let her try, this could be a massive advantage! and if anything bad happens i could take her away from here, far away where she won't be a threat!" his voice barely holds together through his clear and apparent upset.
to which Serafina takes a deep breath, calming herself so as to not further any resentment between the two, before speaking calmly, "your sister's actions cannot be redeemed by Elthana. I see your desperation my love, but Elthana is not Nivara, nor does Elthanas success in being a better person reflect upon you, or what could have been for your family... I'm sorry but this has larger consequences than saving simply safeguarding some modicum of your pride or grief..."
The colour drains from hectors face and he stands shocked for a moment before turning and wordlessly leaving the room.
Griff whispers something to Sam.
The silence that hangs in the air as the doors close is palpably tense, but Serafina sits once more and lets out a large sigh.
Vin has stayed silent up to now, and simply listened to the conversation, but Serafina’s words strike a nerve with him and he can’t contain himself.
”Put her down!?”, he says, a note of anger in his voice. Neferox stops scratching herself as she notices Vin’s change in demeanour, and her focus shifts to Serafina.
”Your own words disagree with you. Elthana is not Nivara. She, and the rest of us, have done our best by your people. We came here with selfish purpose, but we have put ourselves in danger as much for you as ourselves. Without us you would still be clueless. And she has offered to expose herself to harm to help you. A simple no thank you might have been a more fitting and noble response. But be assured, any attempts to put her down will be strongly resisted”, he snaps back
Neferox begins growling and moving from her relaxed sitting position to all fours, slightly crouched and tense.
"which is why, as I said, I am against it, having seen no reason and no evidence of nivara's personality effecting or controlling her, and furthermore why I am absolutely against her reaching out to nivara, only madness lies upon that path. But your Defence of Elthana is expected and noted." Serafina responds curtly
Muir sighs loud enough to draw eyes on him "Yes let us all take a deep breath. In through the nose and out through the mouth. I always found deep breathing in nature, taking it all in, to be quite relaxing. Granted we aren't in nature but it is still useful. Elthana's suggestion, although admirable and courageous, poses too many what ifs that create too much angst and anxieties to the people in this room. Hector is misguided because he is trying to make up for the past. Let us look at what we know. We know Nivarra is responsible for a destruction of a city, the death of Lumithor's physical body, a genocide of the people of this realm, she wants to get into the Shadowfell, and has a large undead army. Does she need to take over this whole realm? Possibly, that was the deal with the leader of the Shadowfell...or maybe her army is to defeat the spirit of Lumithor, it has difficult to know. We need to convince the Djinn to stop this madness, join with each other, and stop Nivarra. That is what we know. Now that we all have the same information, no idea is a bad idea, Elthanna had an idea. Most of us here believe it is too dangerous. What other options can we come up with?"
Sam takes a small step forward and closer to Elthana, a silent but noticeable reaction to the reckless and hazardous comment about putting her down. The truly observant would even note the subtle way in which his grip upon his maul changed.
Sam himself makes no verbal response but he does turn his eyes and smile at Vin when he does. Sam may never think of Vin as the most intimidating of the group but it warms his heart to see him step up like that and it should tell the "elders" something about them that even the scrawniest amongst them are ready to stand up and defend the rest.
"If we wait for you to breathe in through the nose we may be here all day," Sam grumbles to Muir.
Griff can't help but let out a half stifled chuckle at Sam's remark, breaking the tension of the situation at least in his head.
Ömertyr stands, towering over everyone and stretches, likely from being sat too long and too bored. He comes around the front of the table and sits on it, this perch being a lot better for the mist giant's back. He speaks, a slow and grinding tongue that likely only Sam understands as giant.
"Hey uhhhh, what's going on? Is there anything I can do to help you guys, Runecarver?"
Sam looks toÖmertyr for a moment...
"Going on?" Sam asks, confused. "Sorry... Have you not been able to follow all this? Juggling all the languages can be a bother..."
IF Ömertyr was indeed not listening in on the right language then Sam will catch him up the best he can. First he'll check to see if he was in on the Serafina recap before the group even arrived or not, hopefully not having to catch him up on the full story since last they talked. But if so... Sam does so. With some forgotten bits and bobs, I am sure, and some creative embellishments of his might as well. As for the current conversation, Sam gives the briefest of explanations - "Elthana offered to stop working at keeping Nivara's thoughts and such out of her head in order to try to gain information that way... So far everyone else thinks that is a bad idea." Sam will then stay close to Ömertyr for the rest of the meeting to try to fill him in on the go...
IF Ömertyr HAS heard the whole meeting then Sam gets all quizzical looking. "Ummm... All that. What everyone has been talking about. That is what is going on... What you mean??"
At first Elthana is surprised by Serafina's words. She knows she shouldn't be, it's just that after fighting along side one another and seeing how she was with Lumithor... Elthana gets angry with herself for letting her guard down, she should have known better.
But as Hector stands up for her, more than she thought he rightfully should, she feels both a kinship with him and pity for the man as Elthana is unwittingly driving a wedge between him and his wife. As he storms out, she has a fleeting thought to go with him, but stands her ground.
She is glad she does. She would always know that Vin has her back, her team has her back.. it was really brought to the test when she admitted to killing Sam's wife, and they stuck with her, but the way Vin responded to Serafina, in front of the elder council... she'll never forget it.
She waits to hear what the elders say to Muir's comments and appreciates Sam's movements towards her, she almost smiles because of it, but she stands stoic as ever.
After it becomes readily apparent that Ömertyr hasn't been following along, Sam gives him the low down of happenings, and the two discuss some things in giant with eachother for a moment.
Meanwhile kohso finally speaks on the Elthana subject, "there will be no putting anyone down, rest assured. Though I believe what my battle hardened colleague here was trying to say is that if there is a threat that nivara could find a way to force her way out through Elthana, it would be in everyone's best interests to minimise the chances of that happening. If not for everyone else's sake then for Elthana's, the offer is appreciated and I understand the risks you would be putting yourself under aren't to be taken lightly.
As it stands now, we need to plan. Griff here as a general can vouch for your passage to any of the Djiini's isles in this realm. This is useful. You are all outsiders who I hope are willing to do what is necessary to stop Novara, as her plans could very well effect you realm too. The question before we went off on this tangent was figuring out when Nivara will strike, it seems that she has the forces and has manipulated this entire realm to her favour but has not done anything with this in 4000 years, and so my best guess is that she must be missing something, why has she waited so long? Surely taking over the isles or taking control of the Shadowfell gate would be a breeze to anyone who could kill the Vox or have leagues of our brethren raised and corrupted at her beck and call... So what is she waiting for?" Kohso sits and thinks, leaving the floor open for anyone's musings or guess work.
"She has power. Sounds like she has an army," Sam says, interrupting his side conversation with Ömertyr to do so. "I was just coincidentally talking to my friend here about travel arrangements... And I think that could indeed be her issue. It's one thing to have an army. It is another thing getting them to where they are needed."
Sam thinks a moment, perhaps even scratching his head, but then continues on. "Unless she can summon a portal large and lasting enough to move an army, she would need to move the army to a portal, no?"
But just because Sam has a squirrel's attention span that doesn't mean Ömertyr does. The giant continued speaking to Sam even as Sam made his aside.
"..." Sam says, blinking, after Ömertyr comments to him. Sam looks surprised and a bit confused. Sam then shakes his head and tells himself the giant must know what he talks about and have a plan. Looking to the others he loudly whispers: "Hey guys, we got a ride!"