“So long as you don’t walk me into a tree, I’m happy to be blindfolded” Pat says.

     "Yeah, yeah. Let's just get going," Folzi says marching off to the tree.

Those you brought party members from the airship blindfold them and lead the ahead. It's hushed voices as another rushing sensation follows by a brisk fridge burst of air hits your senses. Then it's then temperature evens out as voices murmur in other languages gnomish, elven, and druidic all hum in a chorus of whispers. The party arrives next in a large treetop chamber where thier blindfolds are removed revealing a magically lit wooden room seeming hewn into the tree itself!

A table of seven sit looking at the party assembled in the center of the room. Thirty or so people clamor around to see you as the seven including Aoife, the human man, and the old gnome woman then sit with four others. A half-orc male, an elven male, a male halfling, and another female dwarf.

"Welcome," says the wizened gnome woman her eyes looking at Folzi curiously before addressing the room. "We have been successful," she adds next to cheers from the room erupt only a short time but quiet when she raises a gnarled hand. "One more battle won in the war still to come does not call for celebration," she adds her tone gravely serious. "Many more lives will ended in our quest for freedom. The liberation of our people will carry a heavy price for generations to come," she adds as many of the seven wear varying degrees of concern on their faces. "What news have you of the world outside," she asks the party as the room falls deathly quiet.

Lyra takes a single step forward. However, she doesn't bow, does not curtsy, she does not open with any salutation at all. Instead, she locks eyes with every member of the seven figures, one after another. She does not hesitate, her eyes do not linger. Instead of being intimidated, she seems odly calm and determined. You might even get the impression Lyra's been done something like this before. She exhales deeply once more, and then raises her voice to speak.

"My name is Lyra. These are my friends, Folzi, Hrain and Pat.

I am under the impression that we can only provide you with very little insight of what is happening around the world, as the order we know of appears to be falling apart. But i will do my best to tell the tale that brought us together. Until recently, all of us were inhabitants of the White Waste Detention camp located in the Weave Waste. Folzi as one of the senior residents, I was one of the newcomers. Hrain and Pat both used to be fulfilling their duties as shepherds serving their goddesses.

A few days after i arrived in detention, the camp was attacked. A group of human casters lead by a white dragon and its rider tore through the defenses and started to murder Shepherds and Sisters along with every non-human detainee they stumbled upon. On top of that, they employed magical means turning every remaining human caster obedient, thus reinforcing their onslaught. Me and my friends met by chance, we were able to avoid the massacre using an old tunnel system. We fled to one of the garrisons, only to see it destroyed while we attempted to rescue any potential survivors. We then managed to seek refuge in the last remaining tower, where we met an old Shepherd that sacrificed himself for us by banishing the dragon, thus buying us enough time to flee the perimeter. We then endured a mad flight knowing the caster cult was attempting to hunt us down. Eventually, we made it to shore, where we found the the little fishing village meant to ensure our escape obliterated by yet another dragon only shortly before our arrival. We managed to get aboard the last ship leaving the harbor, lead by the paladin of a foreign god. The ship was seized by pirate slavers, and although they let us leave, once we made landfall we were captured by another group of delusional Shepherds. They locked us up only long enough to get us aboard that airship. Word got around the Emperor orchastred an enormous spectacle to execute any caster the empire could still get their hands on. Your people managed to evacuate us while we were enforcing our break out. "

Lyras report ends there, perhaps a little abrupt. After she is done summarizing the past events, her posture appears to ease up just the slightest bit. Her voice grows less monotonous and rather passionate, which extends to her face that is suddenly expressing a variety of emotion.

"We've come a long way. There used to be more of us. The last soul we lost was in a cell with me on that airship. Now it's only us four left. Yes, two of them were Shepherds, but you'll need to go through me if you want to hurt them. They've suffered the same losses we did, and I will not lose another friend, not if I have the slightest bit of power left to prevent it.

Do with us as you please. If you aspire to be better than the scum enslaving our kind, however, know this: So far we faced one misfortunate after another. We never got to be more than mere playballs kicked around by fate. But we've had it. I have accumulated levels of fury that i did not deem possible to exist. Be smart, unleash us against the empire, and let us repay all the favors and good will we've collected on our journey to the same degree."

With that, Lyra turns around and walks back. She halts next to her friends, intently staring at noone at all, just facing ahead, as she tries to prevent herself from thinking, at all, about the implications of what she just said.

Pat gives Lyra a slow clap as she finishes her speech, reaches out and wraps her in a bone-crushing hug and just says “well spoken!” He then whispers under his breath “now we’ll see if this lot are any different to the others?”

      Folzi shifts back-and-forth as Lyra gives her statements. A few times he looks as if he would interject with his own thoughts on the matter, but waits to let her say her piece. His expression hardens at her mention of those that weren't able to make it this far. "Sorry, Warnick...," he mumbles. When Lyra returns to the group he gives her a pat on the hand before stepping forward toward this council. 

    He gives a nod of respect to the old, gnomish woman. "So... I pretty much agree with all that my friend said there. Though I wouldn't say things are in disorder. Things are just trying to return to the way they were," he says almost in a sinister manner. "You see, I've already fought on this front against the Empire once. Back when Auerlian started rounding up the arcane casters and us fey-folk [or whatever term used to denote elves, gnomes and halflings], I had a hand in helping with Ealain's rise to power. But we know how that ended - with me sent off to that damned prison." He stops and looks back to his companions to gauge their reactions. Turning back to the council, continues, pacing as he recalls his story. "Yeah, I acquired many a trinket for the ceremony to raise her up. Not directly mind you but under the service of House... Well, they helped me keep my head attached to my neck as well as out of the mines so I would hate to betray their trust now. Really though, I don't even know if any of the house is still around," he says scratching his chin.

     "But that's another matter... So, now it appears you can't keep a good sorcerer down because her cult is back at it again. However, this time they don't care who gets run over in their wake. So, not sure how we want to tackle that one. Let them thin each other out- if you want my suggestion." He stops and reaches in his pocket. "Oh yeah, and there seems to be a new player in the cosmos. The Traveler. Seems to be my kind of guy." He holds up the coin between his thumb and forefinger displaying the symbol of this new god. "Any clerics or paladins to this one would probably fit right into your little cause here."

OOC: Fey is good to describe the non-humans. There is also dwarves, half-orcs, and some giant kin among the wild folk, however, think clans of the wild as I mentioned before but like more races other than just fey based.

"I thank you for your news and I do sincerely apologize for your loses," the wizen gnome replies with a soft expression. "It does, in fact, seem that most of our paths are aligned," she adds with a nod at Folzi, "but the means in which we move on will be grave...grave indeed," she adds. "I am high priestess Starling Everbright and my house offers protection to you..." she pauses as gasps and murmurs fill the room, "all of you," she adds next motioning to the party Pat and Hrain too as the seven begin to nod but Aoife stands abruptly from her seat as the only human on the counsel of seven stands with her but he looks more concerned by her actions than Everbright's statement!

"Bringing Shepherds regardless of their disavowment into the clans," Aoife exclaims her tone disgusted, "this...this is a mistake," she adds now looking to Marion then gesturing at her sister. "It's one we have made before by sending my sister who nearly died into their ranks," she adds next as Marion steps forward.

"You forget sister that I volunteered for that task," Marion speaks up for herself. "I alone feed the clan information all these years and kept you safe from prying eyes," she adds putting her head up and looking proud for the first time since any of the party had met her! "I thank and praise you for your rescue but I do now wish these people harm..." she trails off, "there has been enough killing this night," she adds next as murmurs of agreement like a wave.

"Silence," Aoife then demands a staff appearing out of thin air into her hand as she slams it onto the floor. Marion flinches slightly and bows her head. "You have forsaken a life with our own kind to learn about a world that has always sought to destroy us," Aoife adds next her tone growing in anger. "Excuse me if I have little faith in your judgment," she adds next as several elves (full and half) as well as humans with the blue paint emerge from the crowd on the edges. "My sister will return to house Callieach and we will protect her from herself," she adds next. "This was all I agreed to in this fight," she adds next as murmurs once again peak in the wild folk but quickly die off with a hard look from the wild elf. "We can not destroy them and as this wise gnome pointed out," she gestures at Folzi, "if we wait they will destroy each other given time. We remain in the shadows of the forest as we have done for a thousand years, and can claim whatever remains," she adds next as several voices shout out in agreement as well as dismay!

"You wish to break with the council of clans priestess Cailleach," priestess Starling asks her tone full of concern.

"Yes," Aoife nods as the human man beside her releases her arm and takes a step back towards the five seated figures. For a moment Aiofe seems surprised even wounded but then looks back at the five seated individuals whom the human man has rejoined.

"Priest Jorath do you share your companion's views," Starling asks the human man who's older but seems strong in body and spirit.

"I do not," Jorath response as gasps come from all over the room as Aoife looks at the floor and then to Jorath with a burning hate building on her face. "I have yet to live long enough like some of you and even if I had I could never lose hope in humanity," he adds next now his tone and expression defiant as Aoife turns away from him her face still burning with anger as she looks to the party then to her sister before griping her staff in silence.

"We release you and your clan Priestess Cailleach. We only ask," Starling pauses looking to Marion, "those among you who do wish to remain to be allowed to do so," the old gnome says as Aoife looks hard at the old gnome then at her sister before she finally nods.

"I agree to your terms," Aoife replies giving a harm look around at the blue-painted folk in the crowd. Some look ready to leave while others seem torn between Aoife and Jorath. "Stay if you must," she adds next turning to leave as her mantle floating on the breeze whirls around leaving the room with her as twenty or so people filter out behind her.

These folk look the wildest and most warrior-like among those in the room but Marion remains. Those with blue paint left behind seem to look wide-eyed at one another before they look to Jorath then curiously at the party.

"Please," Jorath begins with a soft smile. "You are welcome at house Drogheda as well as in the house of the Everbright," he adds next motioning for the party to follow. "We will find you food and drink as well as a place to rest," he adds before looking at Pat and Hrian which is obvious to him are suffering from exhaustion. "Starling shall we dismiss the counsel and welcome our guests properly," he adds as the old gnome nods and with a dismissive wave of her hand the room begins to relax and people mingle speaking to one another while others remain curious of the party.

"We will speak again about dragons and cults," Starling Everbright says to the party before looking to Lyra. "Dragons are among us too," she adds next before leaving the room in her entourage of wee folk as Marion then approaches the party.

"Sorry for...my lack of trust before," Marion begins with an apology focused on Folzi but all the party too. "I...I didn't know if I could trust you," she added next with a somber expression revealing her bundle which was a sending stone as well as her focus! "I am glad you all survived," she adds next before nodding and moving off with the elderly looking elves you can only imagine are ancient leaving you with Jorath and two blue-painted attendants, a half-elf teen and a human woman, who look eager to help.

"They will take you to your living quarters unless you have anything to ask of me...of us," Jorath adds gesturing at the party with a curious look as if awaiting questions.

      "Thanks for the hospitality," Folzi replies to the remaining council. Then turning to Marion, "No hard feelings. I figured you had something up your sleeve though." The gnome begins to look at his surroundings. "So where exactly are we?"   

     "So, Antlers there doesn't seem to see eye-to-eye with everyone here? Is that going to be another problem? I agree that we should let the dragon casters and the Empire sort themselves out. But someone is going to need to mop up their mess so the rest of us can try to get back to a normal life. I'm not going to hide away in the forest for the rest of my years."

"I too would like to serve, but to do so soon, to capitalise on the chaos in the world now." Hrain looks at the others in the group before continuing "we have proven ourselves capable as a group together, we could be a valuable asset to you. Tell us how we can best help you achieve your goals."

"I have a lot of unfinished business with the Empire so just point me in the direction where you and your colleagues think I can be of best use!" Pat says to Jorath.

"My sister is right to a point," Marion begins with a long sigh. "She means to preserve us as a people but at the expense of far too many others which is too high a price for me," she adds looking to Jorath who nods with a frown.

"She will not be a problem," Jorath replies to Folzi seriously. "Her loss will be felt deeply within our warrior ranks," he adds solemnly then turns to motion to a dwarf with a heavy battle ax wearing the blue-paint among a half dozen other dwarves. "How many," he then asks as the dwarf who then replies in an odd language (druidic) before giving Hrian and Pat a suspicious look.

"You both look like you can handle a sword," the dwarf then says in common looking to Hrian and Pat. "Would you be interested in joining our ranks as guards and if you prove yourselves loyal to our cause possibly more," he adds as Jorath nods not intervening in the offer.

   "Why are some of you all painted blue?" Folzi asks noticing the colored dwarf give their report. "Maybe you can give these two a similar paint job," he says jabbing a thumb at Hrain and Pat.

"Let me see, fifty years in the Empire's infantry rising to the rank of First Centurion (Primus Pilus) of the First Foot Guards regiment, then a couple of years trying to be a medic and then a few days as a sell sword in an airship and now a guard to the Clans of the Wild, this world is changing faster than this old orc can keep up but as I've heard they say in a place called Waterdeep, 'in for a nib, in for a dragon'! Where do I sign up?" Pat says in response to the Dwarf's offer.  

He then looks over at Folzi and says with a grin "I'm not sure blue is my colour?"

"As I said, I'd be happy to serve, I'm good with my blade, I may be young but I have talent, a role of guard wil suit me well enough, thank you." Hrain bows his head as he accepts the offer. 

"I guess it's settled then. Are you sure you won't have to face grave consequences for offering us such hospitalities? I am glad you got us off that shiff, but I wouldn't want to cause any more trouble...Perhaps you have something in mind us casters could be usefull for as well?"

"It's the ashes of our fallen warriors," Jorath explains as Marion's face becomes somber.

"Have there been so many," Marion exclaims next her face twisted in pain. 

"What's done us done Marion. We move forward or we die," Jorath replies firmly. "New allies and a return of those taken from us is for celebrating not sorrow," he adds clasping her shoulders with a renewed smile.

"A victorous fight and a sister returned," the dwarf says grinning, "all I need is a mug of ale or twenty and the day won't be a waste," he replies. "As for ranks and deeds of your past," he begins again looking at Pat, "will see what your sword arm can do before I judge either of you," he adds grinning at Hrain and Pat. "Rurick Ironfist," he then says offering first Hrain then Pat his muscled arm to shake. 

"Yes, of course Lyra," Marion replies smiling at the young human woman. "Any of those who wish to fight will be needed. You all have value here " she adds looking at the party as well as the other prisoners from the ship.

Most if them have been spirited away but one or two remain looking as if the belong among the wild folk!

"Come! You must all be weary," Jorath says moving from the treetops room towards a spiraling stair case below. "You will have rooms in tge house od the Everbright and tomorrow wake to find your place among us," the human man adds with a soft smile.

OOC: Unless any other business/questions I will begin the day anew. Pat and Hrain will have 1 remaining point of exhaustion.

"A wedding and a fight," the dwarf says grinning, "all I need is a mug of ale or twenty and the day won't be a waste," he replies. "As for ranks and deeds of your past," he begins again looking at Pat, "will see what your sword arm can do because I don't think a peg leg can do much on the dance floor," he adds grinning. "Rurick Ironfist," he then says offering first Hrain then Pat his muscled arm to shake. 

Pat grasps the dwarf's arm in a warriors grip (wrist to wrist) and says "Patrick Michael O'Shannessy at your service or Pat The Old Bastard as the recruits used to call me long ago; they thought I didn't know. The young do have a habit of thinking they know everything or were the first to come up with a joke. Let’s raise a pint after we’ve sorted out this mess then."

OOC: Decided on a different story arch Grant. Might want to wait for my typo edits but your response doesn't make a whole lot of sense now.

(OOC - OK will edit my response once I see your edits.Checked a couple of times and now your edits have turned up. I’ve eduted my post. Rurik and Pat will have a drink later.)

OOC: my edits were posted moments after you posted yet your post remains. Posted/responses needed from the party or I'm moving on by 5pm EST.