Inhabited Cave
South-west Chakran Mtns.
28th day of the 7th month: Pfier
12:37 am
Large bulbous eyes looked at Vidar in submission. Everything in the fishman’s posture hinted at complete harmlessness. But the Khord would not be fooled. For all he knew, this creature was reading to jump him.
He interrogated the humanoid, about their reasons to attack him, but the creature did not respond. He requested to know the whereabouts of the ones that escaped, but he got no answer. He threatened the fishman, but to no avail. The thing just stared at him dumbfounded.
When he was through with his threatening, the fishman opened its thick lips and let out a stream of gurgles and syllables that sounded like a stream of water. It was nothing the Khord could understand, but then a gesture came. The fisman pointed at the wall.

Following its direction Vidar noticed writings and drawings on the wall. Apparently the fishmen had used their spare time to put some of their most present ideas and experiences to image. With a thick clay, lines were made into letters of an unknown alphabet. Images of fishmen on land and in the water were scattered over the rocks. A big fishlike creature with tentacles and three eyes returned several times.
And then, in the middle of this random artistry, was the drawing of a scroll. And on that scroll stood a series of martial weapons: two swords, a dagger, a halberd, a hammer, and a very peculiar axe.

(OOC: If you want to interrogate the fishman more, you can, but he will not react in any other way than with expressions of fear.)

---

Londelirinen Kingdom
Aerie of the High King
Urvanial’s tower
26th day of the 7th month: Pfier
1:26 pm
While the young moonhorse nudged its nose into her arms, Elessar took out her wand of healing. She had used many of its charges already. How long would it last her, if she kept tumbling from one fight into another? It seemed like as soon as she was allowed into the order of the bladesingers, trouble had found her. Or perhaps it was only now that she found the strength to see what was wrong in the woods?

She put the wand against her ribs and let its healing magic flow. The wounds and scratches closed, but pulsed still. She now felt numbed, as if she had stayed awake for several days in a row. But it was an improvement of how she had been. With the moonhorse’s aid, she got up and climbed the ladder.

The next floor was covered in feathers, chunks of molten flesh and nails. The room looked like a fire had exploded and destroyed everything within reach. The walls were black and smudged with blood and gore. Still, next to the window lay the plant Urvanial had been tending to earlier. It was intact, unharmed by the flames like the druid himself.
Elessar sped to the Syl. Her wand was ready in an instant, but it took several charges before the man could stand on his feet without aid. His face was still pale, his clothes torn. The bladesinger looked at herself, and realized she too was showing more skin than she normally would.

“We will find ourselves some new clothes and some refreshments.” Urvanial spoke. “I am very grateful for your aid, Lady Bladesinger. I can feel that we’ve freed the forest of a heavy burden, now the owls are dead. Though I must add that we are nowhere near cleansing it completely. I must urge you to take great care, when you ride again.”

Together they descended the tower once more, supported by Kher, the shovel wielding assistant and Telliri, whose wounds had been partially healed by the Khord. In a nearby building they had the opportunity to bath, and Elessar was given some new clothes; a more luxurious version of what she had been wearing. During a short meal they had the opportunity to talk about what had happened. Urvanial was convinced that the majority of the demonic owls had been destroyed now. He urged Elessar to move on with her quest, and keep her eyes open at any time for attacks from these strange creatures.

(OOC: The druid also slips you a pouch with coins (15 GP) as a token of appreciation, and a potion of Cat's Grace. You are free to leave where you want, visit parents or continue with Elessar's quest.)

Kharolis Mountains
East base of the mountains
24th day of the 7th month: Pfier
9:17 pm
The fight was over, wounds were healed, conversations made. One by one the adventurers let themselves drown into the realm of Valdorn. The God of Dreams pestered them with twisted visions of the past evening: sickles piercing flesh, engulfing gusts of flame and old men turning into young demons with red eyes.

The next morning they got up early, though still weary from the evening before. Geimiedefher, Thondrek and Loda spent some time preparing their spells for the day (spell-lists please). This gave the rest of the group some time to discuss the route they would take. Malius listened with half an ear. He was working with his two ferrets. Though they were playful creatures who chose to be with him, he was trying to teach them some tricks. One day they would become more than simple companions, and he might need their aid.

When the sun was starting to peek over the tops of the Ela-Isthel trees, they were already on their way. The forest was peaceful in the morning chill. Birds sang of joyous times, the first squirrels opened their eyes and beams of light bathed everything in a golden glow. The woods seemed vibrant, pulsing with life, and the journey was a pleasant one so far. Two hours later they encountered a small stream. Its water flowed fresh and babbled like the laughter of a Sylvarian maiden. They were able to fill their skins with fresh liquid, or cool their heads.

Around midday they found the first hints at Sylvarian civilization. A flock of sheep was grazing in a clearing, under the fine tunes of a pan-piping shepherd. He greeted them by nodding his head from the other side of the clearing. Minutes later they stumbled upon what must be his home: a wooden hut between the trees, sheepskins drying on a rack, a Sylvari mother and two children engaged in a game of Snap the Beetle. They too nodded their heads at the strangers.

Another hour went by. They spotted more homes, some built in the trees, some on the ground, some halfway in the bottom of the forest. Right when they thought they were passing into a less inhabited part of the woods, a Sylvari man of middle age stood before them. He was dressed in common clothes and bore a staff topped with a full vine curled in a circle and a dark stone in the middle. Those familiar with Sylvari traditions realized he was a village elder, appointed ruler of a small population of Syls. His expression was one of humbleness, but with a hint of eager anticipation in it.

“You must be the sell-swords that come to deal with our problem? The human farmers said you guys wouldn’t be here in a week! My gratitude for making haste.”

That fishman seemed willing to spill out everything but as soon as he opened his mouth only complete gibberish came out. Vidar wasn't sure if this was a language that he simply did not understand or if this was a language at all. But the fishman pointed at the wall where there were writings and drawings. Vidar had no idea how to read those writings, but the drawings seemed to be of other fishmen, and a monstrous creature appeared more than once. Vidar was no scholar and so could not be sure if these drawings were of the same beast or if there were many such beasts. It was fish-like with tentacles and three eyes. It worried the Khord, but at the same time he was excited. He lived for glorious battles and a battle against that beast, one or many, would be glorious.

Nevertheless his attention shifted away from the tentacle-monster to a set of weapons portrait on the walls. There were six weapons, but only one caught his attention. An axe. It was not like a normal axe and the drawing made it unclear if it was a Khordaldrum axe, but the axe seemed extraordinary to Vidar. Could it be that he was already getting closer to what he had come here to find? If this was the axe of his ancestors Vidar would gladly battle all those beasts drawn on the cave-walls.

His eyes widened and a smile formed under his sticky beard. He hardly looked from the drawing of the axe, but pointed his own axe at the drawing and his words at the fishman. "Show me where I can find this weapon," he said, not as intimidating as he had spoken earlier. It wasn't likely that the fishman could understand what he said, but hopefully he could understand what he meant.

The day had already gotten off to a fine start. Travelling along Thondrek had reallized that he had misplaced his whetstone, and now would have to find some other means to divert his attention from conversations not address to him, or companions dealing with their own inner demons..

Demons..

Hell hounds and cripples-turned-assassins. What was the world comming to?

The Khord had been more than eager to move on from their previous campsite, and as the trees and landscape past with each passing step, Thondrek knew he was making headway towards their goal. The Khord liked when things went smoothly. Timetables, and organization were key to anything successful, and all the avertions, distractions and impromptu side ventures were not part of his inner calander... Mebbe I shudda been an accountant he thought to himself, chuckling a bit as they finally came into view of their destination.

As Thondrek turned to his companions after spotting the village elder, or at least to him an elder in the village; he expected some grandios introduction from at least one of his comrades, but as the elder's words initially fell apparently on deaf ears, the Khord stepped forward, leaned on his Guisarme, and spoke.

"That be us, solvin problems and home by fourth-meal" Thondrek turned to regard his surroundings. "So, first the ale, then the details and we can get down te business."
Thondrek merely smiled a smile that as usual was half hidden behind ruddy cheeks and bushy beard.

Loda walked briskly along, her feet gliding over the worked paths that were laid out before them. She smiled as she watched the people around here work and go through their daily rituals, but her attention quickly was diverted to the cows on the other side of them. Their constant mooing and random clusters laying together.

There couldnt be any stranger animal than cows, they fascinate me!
She watched them graze constantly, and tried to follow the cud that it swallowed back down through its four stomachs, but couldnt remember where exactly they all were.

Soon enough though, being distracted by the spotted beasts, they were entering into the forest. She liked the forest, not as much as she liked a good cave or canyon, but still, they were nice.
As quickly as they entered they could start to see tree houses and the people who live amongst them. Right before them on the path was one of them, a man who looked to be well aged, just like the trees around them were.

“You must be the sell-swords that come to deal with our problem? The human farmers said you guys wouldn’t be here in a week! My gratitude for making haste.”

Loda smiled and looked around the group, and watched Thondrek step up before anyone else.


"That be us, solvin problems and home by fourth-meal. So, first the ale, then the details and we can get down te business."

She spoke up from behind him, and gave a wry smile while doing so.

"Yes! Ale sounds like the right thing about now, my skin is just about empty, but if you show me to your supplies, I could brew us up some fine drink! Show ya what some freshly made dwarven ale really is!"

Draven had not spoken since the ambush at their campsite. He had accepted Loda’s offer to heal his wounds with only a nod of his head and a faint bow that could only have been taken as Draven’s way of saying “thank you.”, before turning to silence. Now, as they trekked the forests of the Kingdom of the Sylvari, he remained near the rear. He had never entered these lands before, and knew little of the Sylvari people. And though the folk they passed seem to be common farmers and locals, Draven had come to the conclusion that the less contact with them, the better. After all, their quest was potentially very important, to a powerful member of Khord society. From what Draven understood, Sylvari and Khord relations were not the greatest, and even if they were, their were shady individuals among every society.

As they neared what must be a Sylvari settlement, Draven found himself fascinated with the fusion of nature and civilization in their settlements. He knew the Sylvari were closely tied with nature, but this was clear evidence at their capabilities to weave themselves right into it’s pattern. He also began to feel an unease building. They shouldn’t be passing right through Sylvari settlements. The group didn’t particularly blend in, and attention would be drawn. Soon enough infact, it was, and no long after, they found themselves stopped by a Syl.

“You must be the sell-swords that come to deal with our problem? The human farmers said you guys wouldn’t be here in a week! My gratitude for making haste.”

Draven was never one to speak up, unless he felt a need to. He remained silent, was very quick to regret it. While the two dwarves spoke, Draven stood behind them, shaking his head in aggravation.

"That be us, solvin problems and home by fourth-meal"

Thondrek was the first to speak.

"So, first the ale, then the details and we can get down te business."

No sooner had he finished, then Loda piped in.

"Yes! Ale sounds like the right thing about now, my skin is just about empty, but if you show me to your supplies, I could brew us up some fine drink! Show ya what some freshly made dwarven ale really is!"

Sighing, and raising his gloved right hand, like a child in the back of the classroom, Draven stepped forward and eyed both dwarves with his unsettling, golden eyes. His look was that of a man who had woken from a nap to find himself in an entirely different kingdom then when he had fallen asleep.

“Perhaps the two of you should ease up on the dwarf-swill, instead of being so eager to get back to drinking. Or did you volunteer our services without my consent?”

Standing straight and turning to the Syl, Draven added.

“We’ve not heard of your problem, sir. We simply happen to be passing through.”

Before taking leave of the High Druid, Elessarae asks him three questions.

"Why do you think the owls came to your tower?" she wondered if bringing the dead owl from the river caused the attack.

What is the colt’s name?" She knew from her mother that Moonhorse had names given by their sire and dam. She wanted to call him by his proper name.

"Would you know of a cleric who could recharge my Cure Light Wounds wand for a nominal fee?" (If there is someone, she will leave her wand to be charged before going home.)

Elessarae, once she had her answers, headed for home. Which turned out to be a lesson in futility, as no one was home. Because her mother's and father's jobs required that they be away for home for periods of time, there was at least the housekeeper-cook and the gardener-groom in residence. Elessarae greeted both and learned that her mother was on duty with the queen who was visiting a local noble. Her father was with the Queen as he was a favorite court bard.

Elessarae handed the reins for her young gelding to the groom with instructions to treat him royally. Then return with brushes, food and water for the colt, and she would brush him herself. She let the moonhorse colt follow her into what can only be described as a garden in a hous, or perhaps it was a house in a garden, as it was near impossible to tell where one left off and the other began. There were walls of living ivy, tree trunks lined passages. Druid shaped stairs circled the outside of a massive tree where the upper stories of the house were built.

Going up to her room she was hit with a pang of emptiness. It was home and yet it was not. She felt missed the banter of her parents as they both talked at once, telling each other what they had been doing. Being the youngest of 5, and many years junior to her next oldest sibling she had grown used to being the only child in the house. Her sibs were all grown and either married or off on their own pursuits. Sometimes her parents seemed to forget she was there. Now she would be off again, and with that in mind she gathered some clothes for the journey, the outfit that the High Druid had given her was too grand for traveling. It did not take her long and she was soon downstairs, not wanting to leave the colt alone for too long.

First she went out to brush him, spending time to talk to him as she curried and combed every hair on him, picked and brushed his hooves and then dressed then with special oils. She checked to make sure he was well fed and then she moved to a big chair in the living room and took up a writing board she had brought from her room, to comprise a letter to her parents, explaining that she had been made a Bladesinger and that she had been given an assignment that would take her from the Tower for a while.

Dinner was pan fried trout, a favorite of hers, sautéed vegetables in a buttery sauce, fresh fruit and a honey sesame fig bar. Later she would raid the pantry of every fig bar the cook had made. These she wrapped in waxed parchment and stashed with the clothes she had assembled. Except for a couple that she fed to the gelding and the colt before going to bed. She let the cook and the groom know she would be leaving early in the morning.

Rather than go upstairs she pulled a blanket and pillow from her bed and went downstairs to sleep on the sofa, so that the colt could be nearby.

Early in the morning she was up, but not before the cook who had breakfast ready and the groom who had saddled the gelding and had him waiting in the garden with the colt. Elessarae ate and then thanked the cook for her thoughtfulness.

“Your mother would never let me hear the end of it if you were not properly fed. I have added dried fruits and journey rations to you saddlebags as well as more of the sesame bars I had set aside for your father. They have cherry and plum fillings. There are also some carrots and apple for your horses. All have been packed in your saddlebags along with your clothes. I also added a furzed wool cloak (wool cloak is made very large and then the whole thing is boiled in water to cause it to shrink and tighten the fabric so that it is wind and almost waterproof.) rubbed with lanolin, it will keep rain from soaking through.”

Elessarae takes her leave, handing her letter to the housekeeper to give to her parents. She then takes the reins of the young gelding and leaps into the saddle without the use of the stirrups. She turns him south east toward Bladesinger’s Tower. Following alongside is the moonhorse colt. She is hoping all goes well and she can get to Tinechur in one days ride then rest at the inn and finish the rest of the ride to Megilindar Nost the next morning.

Inhabited Cave
South-west Chakran Mtns.
28th day of the 7th month: Pfier
12:37 am
Although his words meant nothing to the fishman, pointing at the weapon on the wall got the creature in motion. Slowly, to show no hostility, it moved forward and slipped past Vidar. The bulbous eyes of the thing seemed to suck in the Khord’s face as it passed, and a sadness spread from them. Then it looked the other way.

The creature halted at the puddle, where two of its kinsmen had disappeared, and pointed downwards.
In the light of the torch above the water, Vidar could see his own reflection and the warm glow from above. But as he looked deeper into the liquid, he saw another light, shining somewhere far below. This puddle was no superficial host of water, it was a tunnel that went farther than he could see. The light in the depth showed him that it made a curve.

The fishman pointed at the water again, and peered at Vidar. Would the Khord dare to enter?

(OOC: The fishman cannot tell you in any way how far the tunnel goes, or how deep it is. It doesn’t understand you enough, & most likely uses no measuring for distance.)

---

Alloryen Kingdom
Village of Birch-Root
25th day of the 7th month: Pfier
0:13 pm
Confusion grabbed the elder’s smile and stomped it down hard. When the Khords had eagerly agreed on being his expected sell-swords, the Sylvarian had been ready to take them in and treat them with a warm welcome.
But now a dark human had stepped up and declared they were not the ones he took them for.

“So… so…” he stammered, “you were not sent by the farmers to help kill the badger?”

He looked at the Khords with a discouraged expression.
“But your… comrades here…. they seemed willing enough to help, right?”
The Syl truly was losing his composure.

“Please, I beg you. You carry weapons and scars of experience. Help us out. We cannot wait another week. Who knows when he’s going to appear next!”

(OOC: It’s up to you guys to decide: will you aid these Sylvari, or not. You can solve it out here, or in the Q/A, though I prefer posting In Character. As soon as there is a common decision, I can take the next step.)

---

Londelirinen Kingdom
Aerie of the High King
Urvanial’s tower
27th day of the 7th month: Pfier
7:56 pm
Urvanial did have answers for the bladesinger, and as she rode Gharion home, she went over them in her head.

The druid had affirmed her supposition. He too thought the swarm of owls had been drawn to the tower as a result of the dead one Elessar had brought there. It was too obvious to be a mere coincidence. Perhaps it carried a smell or essence the owls could perceive from great distances. Now the feathered menaces were all dead, they would never know.
To her next question, Urvanial had put his hands on the young moonhorse, and closed his eyes. Seconds later he opened them again and shook his head, smiling slightly.

“You’ve found a stubborn little companion, lady Elessarae. He refuses to inform me of his name, but tells me he waits for his new guardian to give him one. He says in time, you’ll find him a name that suits you both.”

To her last question Urvanial told her that no wand could be recharged. She would have to buy a new one eventually.

The next day she mounted Gharion, packed, warm and fully revived. She followed the Rilma Duin all the way back to Tinechur, payed a visit to the local Inn, the ‘Pines Reaching”, where she stumbled into a familiar face. Lady Quilanday, this time not dressed up as an orc, sat in the common room exchanging heated whispers with a Sylvari man unknown to Elessar. As soon as the bladesinger entered, Quilanday stood up in surprise, and beckoned her to come over.

“Lady Elessarae Isiliri, what a surprise to see you here! Come sit with us. This is Ruan…” she indicated the man on the other side of the table, “high ranking officer at Hyanda Nost, in Alloryen.”

She lowered her voice a little so that only the two of them could understand what she said next: “I didn’t expect you here. Didn’t Gyvontill send you on a special mission? Are you returning already?”

(Lady Quilanday urges you to pursue your quest before returning to the Keep. She tells you Gyvontill will not be happy to see a new Bladesinger return without fulfilling what she was sent to do.
Btw: Great post!)

Elessarae nods to both, "Pleased to meet you," and sits down at the table with them.

"It was Gyvontill who gave me leave to go see my parents in Syllarion, even giving me the funds to purchase a horse to ride there. Fortune smiled on me when Gharion became mine, for the young gelding carried me to Syllarion from here, in one day. Though the journey was interrupted when I came across a Moonhorse mare under attack by what I would call Demonic owls. With some difficulity I was able to drive off the owls and free her only she had suffer so much physically and mentally from the demented gibberish that drove one to despair, that she refused healing and then left me with her colt and went off to die."

"I took the bird I killed to the guards in Syllarion and the captaint took me to see the High Druid. There the owls attack again, coming in a great swarm. We were overwhelmed until the Druid blasted them all with a great fireball."

"The point of the trip was for nought as my parents were not home, so I took off this morning and am now here."

Elessarae let the quick recitation settle in their minds.

"Bah, Draven they gots a pest problem. 'ow 'ard can one wee lil badger be? Tearin thru the trash no doubt eh?"
(OOC:I so know it's not one wee lil badger)

Thondrek turned to face his companions.. "Look we be passin through anyways, why not possibly 'elp the poor git, and mebbe line our pockets with new provisions or some gold for the next leg of the journey?

"I say tell me of yer badger problem, and then we'll decide our course, I figure since we be 'ere anyways, it's not too out o the question to look into it if'n it won't take too long."

Thondrek scratched his beard and looked to Draven, expecting no less than a disgruntled comment referring to obligations and what not.

It was not a very happy experience seeing Draven in that much pain. Alyssia was about to run to his aid when Loda hopped up instead. It would be the healing of nature that he received this day instead of that of the goddess this day. Did she feel a twinge of jealousy? Draven even nodded his head in thanks at Loda. This was first time that she had seen him do anything like that.

Best not to think on those matters, Lyss. They'll only bring about bad thoughts. With a smile upon her face, the sorceress went to sleep and hoped none of the others could tell what she was feeling.


More than a day passed as the companions trailed down the road of their passage on the way the Sylvari Forests, the first of their coming to a small village with an elder rushing out to greet them. Alyssia was still admiring the way the Syl blended with the nature to live with it in a sort of harmony as the elder posed his question and did not bother to respond right away.

Three of her companions responded before she even thought to comment on it, biding her time as to see what they would say. After Draven poured out his refusal to help, the elder once again asked but in a manner little short of begging this time.
"Bah, Draven they gots a pest problem. 'ow 'ard can one wee lil badger be? Tearin thru the trash no doubt eh? Look we be passin through anyways, why not possibly 'elp the poor git, and mebbe line our pockets with new provisions or some gold for the next leg of the journey? I say tell me of yer badger problem, and then we'll decide our course, I figure since we be 'ere anyways, it's not too out o the question to look into it if'n it won't take too long."

"I concur," Alyssia spoke up for the first time since coming to the village. "We should help this village even if it does not lead to us lining our pockets."

Alyssia took a few steps forward to come within an arm's distance of the elder, "If it wouldn't be too much pain, could I get a change of garments. Mine have gotten torn on our journey here. I cannot speak for my companions, but I will be glad to help you without any compensation expect for a bed to sleep in and some food to line my stomach."

She stood there with a smile on her face, trying to emanate a feeling of friendship.

Loda watched as the breif conversation went on infront of her.
Draven had spoken out against the actions she had taken.

“Perhaps the two of you should ease up on the dwarf-swill, instead of being so eager to get back to drinking. Or did you volunteer our services without my consent? We’ve not heard of your problem, sir. We simply happen to be passing through.”

The elder looked back at the group and was obviously dissapointed.

“So… so… you were not sent by the farmers to help kill the badger? But your… comrades here…. they seemed willing enough to help, right? Please, I beg you. You carry weapons and scars of experience. Help us out. We cannot wait another week. Who knows when he’s going to appear next!”

Thondrek, who was on her side in this decision, spoke out.

"Bah, Draven they gots a pest problem. 'ow 'ard can one wee lil badger be? Tearin thru the trash no doubt eh? Look we be passin through anyways, why not possibly 'elp the poor git, and mebbe line our pockets with new provisions or some gold for the next leg of the journey? I say tell me of yer badger problem, and then we'll decide our course, I figure since we be 'ere anyways, it's not too out o the question to look into it if'n it won't take too long."

Alyssia, who had been quiet this entire time, finally spoke on the matter, putting it three against one.

"I concur. We should help this village even if it does not lead to us lining our pockets. If it wouldn't be too much pain, could I get a change of garments. Mine have gotten torn on our journey here. I cannot speak for my companions, but I will be glad to help you without any compensation expect for a bed to sleep in and some food to line my stomach."

After eveyone had seemed to be done speaking, Loda finally opened her mouth and added her thoughts, again.

" Draven, I do not remember any of us needing your consent to do anything, especially help some syl's who need it. Obviously they are in dire stress, and the help they have asked for is late."

She looks back at the elder, and smiles at him, and steps forwards a bit.

" Well, ya see, we're not really the people you are looking for. But that does not mean we should deny every person looking for help! We'll certainly help you out. And I am, one of the circle. A druid you would call. As you can see, this here is Gothard."

She pats Gothard on his head as his tongue flops out and tail starts to wag.

" I am not one of the woods though, but one of the underground, the caverns and tunnels of below. So if it is a badger problem you have, we might not have to even spill any blood, especially the ones of hapless animals. But I am curious, how would a badger be so much of a problem that you are forced to hire sell swords? Havent you tried talking with it or trapping it to locate it somewhere else? That would be the most sensible thing to do.

Alloryen Kingdom
Village of Birch-Root
25th day of the 7th month: Pfier
0:13 pm
The positive words that followed the elder’s plea for help brightened his face.

“Falloes be praised. We’ve prayed for able fighters to help us. We’re simple commoners, and do not fare on the fields of battle. Let me acquaint you with our hospitality.”

He led them through the village, which proved to be nothing big or exceptional. The architecture was pure Sylvarian though, and beautiful in its organic simplicity. The elder took them to one of the larger buildings, which was half buried in the ground. They descended a small stairway, and entered a room used for village councils, recreational activities and hosting guests. They were seated on a large table, and treated with fresh bread and water by some of the villagers.

The elder himself sat down with them, and started explaining what their problem was exactly.

“Five weeks ago, we heard a rumour of a terrible hare running rampage in a village only two days away on foot. Apparently the animal had been possessed by evil spirits of the woods, hungry for blood and grown in size. When three weeks ago, one of our children was found slashed, and…” he stopped for a second, gulping loudly.
“Well, we thought it was the hare that had found our village. But later that week, we sighted a badger, preying on our sheep. He was larger than anything we’ve ever seen.”

At that moment a Sylvari woman came in, her face covered partially by a veil of leafs. The elder looked up for a moment before continuing.

“Rovannya is one of the few who escaped the wrath of the creature. She swears its eyes glow in the dark. The homes at the outer rims of our village aren’t safe anymore. Some have been destroyed, others are no longer inhabitable. So far, the creature hasn’t dared enter the village centre yet, but soon it will cross that boundary too. Will you grant us peace and kill this devil? We will reward you with all we have.”

Mealamin Kingdom
Tinechur
Pines Reaching Inn
27th day of the 7th month: Pfier
7:57 pm
Lady Quilanday and her warrior friend were silent for a while. They exchanged glances and nodded at each other.

“Yes,” Ruan of Hyanda Nost said, “we’ve heard of wicked creatures popping up in the forest. It happens more frequent lately. Though we weren’t aware of the kind of owls you describe. I will warn my people of this foul tongue they possess.”
He left their table after bowing to both women.

Elessar’s fellow bladesinger suddenly slammed her fist on the table. Her anger sent plates wobbling and glasses were knocked over.

“This upsets me greatly. I will contact Meglindar Nost this very evening, and ask to be assigned the investigation into this matter. I will write Gyvontill as well, asking about your mission. We will have an answer in the morning.”

She left, and came back a good fifteen minutes later. The evening continued. Ruan also returned, and they enjoyed a tasty meal together, and some glasses of wine.

The next morning Elessarae woke up to a hard knocking on her door. It was Lady Quilanday, armoured and ready to leave Tinechur. She handed Elessar a small note, and told her that an eagle had dropped it off earlier. The lady herself had to leave, for she had been assigned with investigating the strange, twisted animals.
The note wasn’t very long. Only a few words had been hastily scribbled on the paper.

Continue quest. No report needed now. Make haste.
(OOC: If you are unsure of what your quest was, I can send it to you again.)

As the fishman walked passed Vidar, the Khord could see great sadness in its eyes. It pointed down into the puddle where the other two had jumped in earlier. Vidar looked into the puddle and saw it was actually a tunnel that took a curve away from his line of sight. There was no telling how far it went or if it came up somewhere else at all. But judging from what Vidar had seen in the fishman's eyes earlier, there was no deception that this way would get him closer to the axe. Drowning was not exactly the glorious death Vidar had been hoping for, but if swimming would bring him closer to the axe of the clan Thorudrin he was willing to go that way.

Vidar looked at the fishman with a smile on his face. "I thank you, my friend," he said. "Without your help, as small as it might have been, I would probably have died without a clue where to look for my objective." He was just about to jump in when he realized something he had forgotten. The two fishmen who jumped in few moments ago might be bringing reinforcements. A fight down there would certainly not be an advantage for the Khord, assuming he wouldn't drown before getting anywhere. The other tunnels did stretch on, but Vidar didn't know where they lead. This was surely a dilemma.

Vidar backed away from the puddle. He needed to think, something he wasn't really good at when the enemy wasn't apparent. There were two ways he could go, one way almost certainly lead to the axe, the other could lead to nowhere and the guide couldn't speak a word in common, or any language that Vidar knew. He had to think about this.

Finally, the Khord made a decision. "I hope Shinara is looking over me this time," he said. He tied his shield over his back and his backpack over his shield. He fastened his axe to his belt and then jumped into the water feet first. He felt out of place like he always did in water. He would only swim as far as he thought would be safe before turning around and go back to the fishman and the drawings on the wall. In worst case scenario, he would have to find another way to the axe.