OOC - Study topics, as time allows : Local religions, divine magic, technology as it exists, notable spell caster still alive. 

  I look with brows furrowed at my companions but i walk to her. I kneel down beside her. " I look forward to learning what knowledge you have in store for me....." I cut off unsure what to call her. 

I give back a knowing look that says take your time but I try to stay within earshot. 

I spend most of my time looking into the politics of the region, with a focus on the major powers we are likely to have to deal with.

Interests in wine, ales and meads comes to my mind, plus something more of the war that happened to make some dislike druids while others like them. I think of Rachel and hope she finds answers. As I hope to possibly find some myself. 

The woman kneeling next to Rachel turns her head towards her slightly and says, "you may call me Mother.  I am the arch Druidess and I have sensed your presence her on this world for some time now.  I have sent a couple out to keep watch on you and see if you were going to turn out bad or good.  I think you are still on the fence there like those in power in the Kingdom of Fretha.  I do hope that you continue to strive for what you believe in and what you desire most.  I can give you some advise but I can see you are full of questions.  Ask me anything my child."

Meanwhile back in the city the others have been studying what the library has to off them.  Travis finds a tome about various plants and how common they are or are not so that he can have some ideas of making potions to help.  Vickie has found a tome about how to brew this mead or that mead as well as Wines and ales and beers.  Studying the local governments and the neighboring countries you find very little.  Seems that most have not written a lot down or it is by word of mouth.  You do find out that Fretha is big on grains and beef as it has a large farming area away from the city.  You sense that some of these farms wish to stay out away from the city too.

To the south you learn of Hepun which is inside the country Vogyl.  Hepun is known for its rich mountains of Jems and other precious metals.  It is said to be dwarfen country and they seem to keep mostly to themselves as Vogyl is more of a nomadic Elven and half elven tribes but trade in exotic furs and tropical type fruits. 

To the north is the county of Surak that is mostly harden warriors of nomadic tribes.  The men are big and strong and are known for the raids to the south to pillage what they wish.  A few have wandered down to the southern areas to live in peace and to offer their services in some armies but otherwise little is known of them.  Even their capital city is not hing but a small village where they gather at times when they are in the area.  Surak is known as a rugged wild country where you can hunt some of the more fearsome beasts.  Few however return from such a quest.

During your research you do learn that there is a wizard by the name of Polevan who built this tower but has since left to go elsewhere.  You learn that he left soon after the start of the Druidic war and has not been heard from since.  The only other Wizard of note is named Merklin who was a great Wizard that had both Arcane and Divine knowledge.  He was kicked out of the tower after it became known that he was practicing dark magic and wanted to rule the world.  He took most of his work and a few Tomes that had some higher magical powers then he knew at that time.  That was well over 200 years ago.

  I look up at her in awe. " Mother.. how would you know of my arrival? I come seeking advice from you regarding the kingdom of Fretha.  Some companions and I were sent as ambassadors to Fretha.  They were very welcoming to me at first but now i am encountering some that seem to hate druids. Can you explain what happened and can they be trusted?" 

I take copious notes and then head back at the right time to prepare for the meeting. 

"My daughter people can both be trusted and not trusted at the same time.  Most people will shower you with praise but when you are not looking stab you in the back.  As far as the people of Fretha most are good people and they understand that nature has a big role in their daily lives.  These are those that you can trust the most but there is several there that have corrupted nature for their own good.  A few of them will show you hostility for they know you are a child of nature and that if you study them closely you will see that their very nature is a stain against the fabric of time and nature.  As far as knowing when you first arrived I sensed you.  I could sense that a new child of nature had arrived and have been watching yo as you grew in power.  Thus the reason you have found me here."

The others at the mage tower finish with their various studies and head back to the inn to get prepared for the meeting with the full council.  It is not long after they are ready and meeting in the common room of the inn that the door opens and you see lady Diana enter.  She is wearing a black cloak over a black dress that is very form fitting and shows every curve of her.  She has a silver necklace on that those of the magical sense can feel the power it radiates.  She nods her head towards you and says.  "Leave all weapons here in your rooms.  You will not be permitted to enter the castle grounds with any weapons upon you."  Once everyone is ready she will lead you out into the street and head towards the nicer part of the city.  Soon you are on a wide street that runs directly towards the castle gates and beyond to the castle itself.  You can see the gates are open and a few people heading to the castle too.  There is a large group of soldiers at the castle gates inspecting everyone that comes through.

Divesting my self of arms and armor, even not so much as a dagger on my person, I dress in the purchased finery and formal wear. Activating my environmental protection spell for the day ( I like being comfortable, regardless of the weather), the only magic items I keep on me for this event are the Broach of protection, the ring of vampiric regeneration, and the Boots of Springing. Before we leave, I ask about a dagger for dining being required or not and act accordingly. 

I take notes of the various meads, ales, and wines to take back with me to show Calvin. To see if any of them may be produced for the Inn and Stronghold. Thinking if any of the people decide to venture to the Stronghold they will have something familiar to drink as well as enjoy our finest wines, ales and meads. 

I too divest myself of my weapons, and feeling a bit like I'm wearing a clown suit, I take Thalica's arm as we proceed.

I contemplate this for a moment.  " Hmm. Mother..  I have 2 more questions for now.  First, please tell me what caused the war between druids and Fretha. Who was at fault? Second.....I and my friends are not of this world. We were transported here instantly from our home.  If any of us  choose to go back to our world is it possible and how would it be done?" 

The Lady Diana leads you through the castle gates.  The guards nod to her as she passes and as you all pass you feel the cool tough of magic but since no one has any weapons the guards simply nod to you too.  Soon you are escorted into the castle itself.  The exterior of the castle shows that it is good sturdy building that is fortified for any attacks.  Inside you find hard wood floors polished to a nice shine along with a few statues and tapestries the interior walls are made of stone that looks to have been masterly cut as they fit together with the barest of lines between.  As Lady Diana heads down the main corridor you can see a set of large double doors ahead. Son the doors start to open and you see the main audience chamber.  Inside you see a half circular table with seven people sitting around it.  You recognize the lady you met with yesterday at the far right She frowns a bit but says nothing.  The lady Diana indicates where you are to stand in the center of the room as she walks around the left side of the table to take a seat next to the half elf male seating in the center.  Looking at the male in the center you can see that he is a elder half elf and well dressed with a plain crown upon his head.  He looks at you and you can see that he has some wisdom in them.  He nods to the lady Diana as she takes her seat.  Then turns his attention fully on you.  You hear the large doors behind you close.  The king stands up and a man standing behind him to his right takes a staff with a metal end and raps it hard on the floor three times and says. "The meeting of the council for the express visitation of new Foreign ambassadors is now in session."  The king waits a moment and then speaks.  "Tell me of your lands and how the county of Fretha would be involved if we are to be neutral or friendly towards each other."

Meanwhile the elder druidess addresses Rachel.  "my child the power that brought you and your friends here is not something I am familiar with nor able to match in power.  I fear that even some of the gods in this realm can match that power.  I know it would take a god to produce the powers needed to do what was done and even then may fail.  No this is a powerful god that did what it did and one I am unfamiliar with.  I hope that soon I can better understand the power that has changed the status quo in the heavens.  To get you back would be to beseech this new god and as him/her what purpose it has for you here.  

As far as the Fretha and the druids we went to war after three druids were killed after preforming a ceremony to prolong the lives of three of the council members.  Those thre are still in power and not to be taken lightly.  The killing of my children did not go unnoticed and therefore we took our support of the kingdom away.  The people revolted due to this and we helped those that revolted against the throne and the council.  I know that this lasted about a decade and the council was in dire straights as the crops failed through out the kingdom and there was barely enough food to feed the wealthy.  The poor starved and many died seeking food.  We helped some as we were responsible for the failed crops.  Those who were revolting were able to get enough food for themselves and those they were close to.  The King after seeing his people die from the conflict and lack of food met with me one late night and we came to an agreement.  We would ask the people who were revolting to lay down their arms and cease with the struggle.  The King in turn agreed that no other people would ask for their lives to be extended.  The Mage Delitho was called upon to seal this agreement and to monitor those that wished to extend their lives.  While some could still extend their lives it would not be anyone in power over the people of this land.  The druids would once again work with the farmers to help their crops flourish.  While this agreement is still in place some have come to dislike the druids but those who are farmers or rely on the crops and food coming in are in the druids favor as they will rejoice when one is in thier midst.  I must warn you though that those that seek power or ambitions above their stations will not hesitate to attack a druid.  Some people just do not learn."

I step up and give my best bow, "Greetings your highness. My name is Jason, I lead this band, and we serve as outriders for our Lord Douglas. We act to scout, map, and tame the land around our settlement, in addition to acting to deal with incoming threats such as the orcs Merklin has been sending our way."

"Most recently, upon encountering a ship headed this way, we were asked to act as first contact delegates, learn as much as we can of you and our other new neighbors, and to open diplomatic relations if such was at all possible. Our nation is new, and yet small, but growing swiftly. Among the things we hope to achieve are trading opportunities, and potentially an alliance, temporary or otherwise, to deal with this Merklin. We have been dealing with him well enough so far, but it would be hubris on our part to assume we have seen the worst he can throw at us."

I proceed to explain about our nation and the circumstances of our arrival here in much the same terms as discussed with the councilwoman, staying away from particularly sensitive information.

As the meeting continues, I surreptitiously examine the people present, curious to see these movers and shakers of this society, and their unusually long-lived histories, seeing if I get any insight or details that may prove useful.

I nod thoughtfully.  " Thank you so much for these answers Mother.  You have been most helpful. Is there anything that i can do to help you or our cause? I have spoken to no other druids since arriving here therefore I have no idea of what is going on in this world beside our area of travels. " 

"My child let me give you some wisdom.   You will not see members of our order until you decide if you are truly for nature or against it while you fight along side your friends.  Nature is about balance.  You can not harm nature without giving some good back.   Of late you have given some back this why you are seeing me now.   You have been taking much for granted and if you continue down that road you will continue to grow in wisdom but nature may take things back from you.   Now come closer so I can give you something that only you can decide on what to do with the knowledge.". She becomes you to lean closer to her.   Cesaer and Jonathan will not be able to hear what she says.

Meanwhile in the council chambers Jason tels the king of their role and where they have come from.  Once he is done the king leans back in his chair and looks at the small group before him.."You have come to this kingdom in peace and have gone through some of the proper channels to be seen and heard.  I hearby Grant to you all the powers that goes with a diplomatic mission.  You will given an estate on peace boulevard that suits your role.   I will take what you have said and discuss it with the council and meet with you again here in two days.   I understand the power of Merklin and he has been a thorn in May of our sides since he first appeared here three years ago.   I do not know if your Lord followed him to this world to see that his power is checked or to assist him in some out way.  I do ask that when we meet again that all of you are present even your druid.  She should not feel afraid of anyone here.   My junior steward will show you to your estate.".   

A young man steps up to your group and asks you to please follow him.

I bow once more, "Thank you, your highness, for your wisdom and generosity. We look forward to our next meeting."

As soon as I find out where the estate is, I'll record a brief message with Ping, describing how the meeting went and about our change in accommodations, and send it to find Rachel and Jonathan.

  My face turns ashen as I listen.  My mind churns as I process this information.  I bow low to her as I think.  " Thank you Mother for all of your help and answers.  I will think long on what all you said.  Can we stay here tonight and return to Fretha in the morning?"