Allansia Adventure

Zarbyn reflects on the previous encounter just last night and how he waited patiently in his hiding spot, perhaps too patiently and that may of given the other ship time to escape.

He half remembers some old quote that linked strength and patience... and maybe something else but right now, in the moment, he believes that a proper sacrifice would be to give those things up, whether symbolically or... some other way.

Zarbyn takes off the Toa-Suo Gauntlets of Meekness and offers them as part of the sacrifice, "These Gauntlets are blessed to offer strength to the weak but also cursed to bring meekness to the very strong. Even with them I almost failed to act in time so I now offer them as sacrifice."

After placing them on the ground at the feet of the nearest guardian he says, "Give us your patience... and action will come swiftly to you."

The fey listen to each of you as you choose.
For Ruel, one says, "We have no use for such a whip. You should keep it in her honor."

For Jherak: One says, "Hum.....I shall rephrase this for you, 

“Give us your guarded heart…and silence will no longer stand between you and those you cherish.”

For Zarbyn, Another of the strange fey shrug: "The lotus asks for pieces of you, not your gloves. Please keep them."

(OOC: Each of you can decide how to role play this. I will consider if anything mechanically will change due to your commitment, but my intent is adding role playing flavor.)

Vydar stays silent through most of this exchange, though the Fay’s excitement around his and Zarbyn’s attack on the ships amuses him. However, their bargain for the petal causes his frown to deepen. No matter how powerful this petal is, is it really worth giving part of himself? His jaw tightens when one of the small folk absentmindedly points towards him stating he should give up stubbornness. He knows the creature is partially joking, but he can feel his anger rise at the comment. Though that spark fades quickly when the options are presented. Anger, stubbornness, ambition, even pride or distrust, all of these things are major parts of him. Even if they are flaws, they are part of him. His anger and ambition have been what has kept him going since Nera’s death. He cannot let that go. Yes, he’s stubborn but stubbornness is not always bad… and he truly feels he’s become less stubborn since traveling with this group? Would it be too bad to give that up? He ponders his options, no he can’t give these things up… not even his anger. He sighs and tries to think of what Nera or Natalie would tell him. Where does his anger come from? His bitterness towards the world and those who wronged him and those he loves, his anger rises again and fades. He has his answer. Even still the words sound like he had to slowly tear them from his lungs. This was not an easy decision for the young dark elf… but he knows Nera would have approved.

I give you my Hatred, and my actions towards those who wrong me are no longer born of malice.

As each of the party genuinely give up a part of themselves for a year and a day, the green-gold veins beneath the lotus's petals seem to almost beat, like a great heart. One by one, the tiny fey fall silent.

Inside of your mind, you hear, "The bargain is made. A part of the Lotus shall walk with you into winter cold embrace."

The water beneath the flower being to ripple, as several petals unfurl. The Third Warden lowers himself to one knee, "It is choosing."

A single black petal slowly loosens from the Lotus and drifts toward the group. Then, it lands on Brindle's head. Brindles head turns black, as if she is wearing a black leaf hat, yet, it seems a part of her.
Stunned silence follows.
"One calls out, "Wait, no....not him. He once lost one of his shoes for three days."

Steward Bracken then declares:  "The Lotus has Spoken!"

The tiny fey Brindle, only six inches tall, looks as stunned as the rest. Her eyes get wide as she jumps off of the bear Ning after one more scratch behind the ears. Taking a deep breath, her legs seem unsteady.

"The lotus chose me?" She swallows hard. "Right. Well....I suppose I'd better be brave then."