Yes, so far things were going smoothly. Draven came and went with his usual shady rudeness, and regarded the group from the bar, a mug of Troglodite's Tears™ in his hand. He was not bothering them, and they left him alone.

Elessarae was quickly convinced she had found the group she had been looking for. She could not know for sure, but they fit the description and appeared civilized enough. Plus, Comrade or Moon Shadow by his new and more mature name, seemed at ease, which was always a good sign.

The barkeeper brought their drinks as conversation went on. After introductions the topic changed, and the bladesinger revealed her fears to the group. But she wished to remain silent until the town's druid came by. After a few minutes they were still the only ones in the inn. Geim went over to fetch Draven, and found he was not the first one.
Gothard, Loda's wolf drinking companion was already sitting at the warrior's feet, begging for a sip of the strong ale. Whether Draven abided Geim's request or not, the innkeeper told them he would go get the town's druid or one of the elders.

Ten minutes later, he had not returned yet. Perhaps it was better to speak now, and repeat the story once the druid had arrived?

Once the group was left alone in the Inn, Elessarae decided to tell them now and then repeat it. She stands to speak

"If you will please attend I will tell you what is known." She looks to the singular man off to the side, but will not wait for him, but speaks loud enough to be heard by him.

"Sylvaria is under attack, this plague of MAOUS, mutate animals of unusual size, was caused by trees infected with some sort of poison that Goblins from the Chakran Mts. had brought with them to create this problem. In fact a whole troop of them plus one ogre had descimated an entire village not more than a few hours ride from Flame Tower."

"The one tree I dealt with was a great oak, its bark was darkened, its leaves were red and the acorns it shead were like tiny rotten melons. The Goblin I had gotten to lead me to the tree with me reacted violently when an acorn hit him on the head after making him walk to the tree at swordpoint. The ground under the tree was soggy. I believe that animals are infected by contact with the infected trees and then changed into these monsters that have been attacking the Sylvari. The infection has spread all the way down to the borders of the Southern and Middle kingdoms. That is where I first found a trio of Demon Owls who were attacking Com--Moon Shadow's mother."

"I will tell you now that I was sent for Megilindar Nost to join you, but only until I got to the Chakran Mts. I had been given a side job, to check out the activity of the Goblins in the mountains." She understood from the letter that hers was to be a secret mission, but somehow circumstances had entirely changed that. It was her own decision that she shared the secret with these people, she wanted to deal openly and truthfulkl with them.

"Well I found out what they were doing without even reaching the Northern Kindom, they poisoning our trees in a prelude, I believe, to war. Beyond that I have come to believe that there is someone else behind what the goblins did to the trees, it is beyond goblin intelligence to dream up such a plan."

"I feel that there is a incidiously evil mind at work here. I also have come to believe that there could be an antidote for the tree plague where it was originated, somewhere in the Chakrn Mts. That whoever wants to take over our lands would not want to continue to deal with the problems of their own making."

"So far the mages and sages at Flame Tower have rediscovered a plant that can be used to reverse the plague, but it is a slow process to cultivate the Lotus of Light."

Finished she sits and waits for questions. She reaches out and puts a hand on Comrade's shoulder for comfort. He would always be her Comrade.

Geim had gotten up to approach Draven, and found that Gothard had gotten to him first. The tall man was leaning against the counter, one hand gripping a mug, and the other leaning on the massive, ebony blade like a walking stick. Behind his long veil of black hair, golden eyes were regarding the wolf-dog. He looked unimpressed.

The dwarf coughed, and Draven glanced at him, before lifting the mug to his pale lips. Geim took this as his queue to speak.

“This girl...bladesinger be set here to meet up with us and has things to impart. I am asking ye to join us. Now, she be wating until town officials come to tell what news she has and when they do, I be asking you to join us at least then. Though you be welcome now, laddie. We've been through some tough times and it took all of us together to get this far.”

Draven looked at him impassively.


“Are ye coming now or later?"

Draven lowered his cold gaze back onto the dog, whining at his feet.

“I sometimes wonder how you managed to turn a canine into a drunkard….”

Draven looked back at the dwarf, and whether he was making a joke, or seriously wondered, Geim couldn’t be sure. The dark man had a strange sense of humor. Either way, though…he didn’t answer the dwarfs question, but took another drink, evoking another whine from the dog. It did seem Draven was enjoying Gothards discomfort.

As it turned out, though, the newcomer began to speak, glancing once at Draven, as if to include him in the conversation. He listened, seemingly interested in the plague, and whatever malicious mastermind lay behind it. Yet at...very near to the end of her conversation, a yellow flare lit the room where he stood. his eyes had flashed with a brilliance of interest, and his face went ashen for but a moment, before the cold, stoic mask recovered itself. But when she had finished speaking, Draven lifted the mug once more to his lips, drained it, and set it squarely on the table.

Casting a meaningful look at Alyssia, who had not spoken to a single member of the rest of the group since her conversation with him, he strolled to the group and leaned against a column, seemingly waiting to hear their decision.

Alloryen Kingdom
Hith Elee
6th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
10:26 am
Not many words had been spoken between them after Elessarae’s explanation of what was happening to the Sylvari Empire, when the innkeeper returned. His face was white, and he was trembling from head to toe. An awkward step later he had entered the inn, and stared at them with his mouth open. A long drip of red spittle fell from his lips onto the floor, followed by a long raspy gasp from his throat. He stretched a hand out to them, and fell face forward onto the wooden floor boards.

Now the companions got a clear view of his back; shirt raked and flesh ripped. Through the open door they could see something flashing by; something green and scaly, with a long tail. It went too fast to see clearly, even evading the Sylvari eyes in the party.
Looking out the other windows of the establishment, the adventurers could see through the trees, where the other buildings of the town stood. The paths between them were filled with the villagers of Hith Elee, all of them as dead as the innkeeper. Something had ravaged the area while they had acquainted each other and discussed the problem at hand.

With a cry of anguish Elessarae draws her sword and prepares to go out after the creature. As much as she would like to help the innkeeper, she could not, for the more the creature was free the more the dead there would be.

"Who is with me?" she cries moving through the door.

Draven looked towards the doorway and watched impassively as the innkeeper stumbled in and fell, dead before them. Raising an eyebrow of mild interest, the dark warrior picked his sword from the pillar it rested against and strolled casually towards the body and the open doorway. Leaning slightly over the corpse, he peered at the ravage marks, then glanced out into the village.

A glimpse of something scaly rushed by, and Draven frowned. From here he could make out a few dead bodies laying in the streets. Whatever had done this work had done it efficiently. He couldn't help but be impressed.

Glancing over his shoulder, his pale, flashing eyes locked with Elessares, and held them for a moment. Then, without a word, he turned and strolled out of the tavern.

OOC It is mid morning.

Elessarae waits for no one, but sees the dark warrior coming out of the inn in the corner of an eye.

Geim ws about to ask a few questions of Elessarae when he door opened and the innkeeper entered. So he waited until the innkeeper came to the table. Only he never got more thatn a step in and collapse face foreard. Geim jumped up and hurreied to the fallen man. Even from a distance he could see greivous wounds on his back. Khadox here my prayer. My companion s I I need you divine blessing to see us through this battle agsinst these foes. (Geim casts Bless of the group) Then kneels on one leg and checks the man for signs of life. Praying for some life signs in the Sylvari.

Elessarae was also up calling for others to join her. Draven had started forward too. "I'm with you girl, lead on I am just going to check out the Innkeeper." They must have seen the flash of the green scaled creature as it streaked byas just as he had. "Damned fst flyer, that thing, be wary." He is surprised that there had not been one outcry or scream from any of the slain laying in the street.

Need DM's response as to Innkeepers condition.

While Draven and Elessarae were ready to head after the creature, Geim kneeled down next to the fallen innkeeper. The Khord prayed to the allmighty creator to save the good man's life, but the last pulses flowed through the body under the cleric's fingers, and then stopped. The innkeeper was dead.

Though the bladesinger and the human warrior had been fast, there was no sign of the creature they had seen flash by the doorway. Perhaps a closer look would bring more insight in the situation?
Draven walked out into the open. The thick roof of treebranches permiated a diffuse light on the village. In other times it would've made for a romantic, iddylic atmosphere. The Sylvari bodies on the ground however seemed to have materialized from a world of chaos and insane destruction.

For a moment the two newly found companions could hear the thumping of feet on the forest ground. Then an eerie silence settled upon them.

As this new ‘Bladesinger’ spoke of Goblins, Mountains and people in danger Malius was only listening with half his mind, the other half lost in memories of a happier time.

"Sylvaria is under attack, this plague of MAOUS, mutate animals of unusual size, and was caused by trees infected with some sort of poison that Goblins from the Chakran Mts. had brought with them to create this problem. In fact a whole troop of them plus one ogre had decimated an entire village not more than a few hours ride from Flame Tower."

“So my love how was the day, did your favorite once again besiege you with question after question.” The Sylvari Ranger spoke as Mira’ Élan entered their small home outside the walls of Megilindar Nost.

“Yes as normal, but she means no harm her mind is vast as her age is unusually young for one admitted to training, but she does show great skill nonetheless.” The beautiful Sylvari female returned as she deliberately and slowly undressed out of her armor knowing Malius loved to watch.

As she lay next to him Malius was happy, for together they would stay for long lifetimes.
"The one tree I dealt with was a great oak, its bark was darkened, its leaves were red and the acorns it shed were like tiny rotten melons. The Goblin I had gotten to lead me to the tree with me reacted violently when an acorn hit him on the head after making him walk to the tree at sword point. The ground under the tree was soggy. I believe that animals are infected by contact with the infected trees and then changed into these monsters that have been attacking the Sylvari. The infection has spread all the way down to the borders of the Southern and Middle kingdoms. That is where I first found a trio of Demon Owls who were attacking Com--Moon Shadow's mother."

Malius loved the forest at this time of day the sun rising up from below the horizon to grace the trees with its life giving light. The way it slowly shined through the cottage’s window and as if the light touch of a lover caressed Mira’ Élan’s sleeping face.

How he had been so lucky to be awarded this Bladesinger’s love, a teacher here at Megilindar Nost, only the god’s knew the truth of it. No more missions full of danger for her and for him, being under no ones command but his own; he was free to stay with her for as long as she wished him by her side. He was hers in mind, body and soul let no one say different he thought as he lay beside her and watched her sleep.
"I will tell you now that I was sent for Megilindar Nost to join you, but only until I got to the Chakran Mts. I had been given a side job, to check out the activity of the Goblins in the mountains. Well I found out what they were doing without even reaching the Northern Kingdom, they poisoning our trees in a prelude, I believe, to war. Beyond that I have come to believe that there is someone else behind what the goblins did to the trees, it is beyond goblin intelligence to dream up such a plan."

Malius waited for the return of his love anxiously knowing what he was about to do scared him to no end. He had faced Ogre’s, Trolls, Goblins and even a Dragon once, though not alone, but what he was about to do now could be more dangerous then anything faced by the Sylvari Ranger before. As Mira’ Élan approached he gathered what little courage he had left and met her halfway to their cottage door.

Before she could speak and before he lost his nerve he quickly went to one knee and took her hand in his.

“Mira’Elen, Bladesinger, Teacher, love of mine, will you be my life mate.”?

Her answer after a moment of shock left no doubt in anyone’s mind as she threw her arms around him and in a very unsylvari way kissed him full on the lips in front of all....
"I feel that there is an insidiously evil mind at work here. I also have come to believe that there could be an antidote for the tree plague where it was originated, somewhere in the Chakran Mts. That whoever wants to take over our lands would not want to continue to deal with the problems of their own making."
So far the mages and sages at Flame Tower have rediscovered a plant that can be used to reverse the plague, but it is a slow process to cultivate the Lotus of Light."

Not many words had been spoken by the party after Elessarae’s explanation of what was happening to the Sylvari Empire, Malius yet still lost in memories, when the innkeeper returned. His face was white, and he was trembling from head to toe. An awkward step later he had entered the inn, and stared at them with his mouth open. A long drip of red spittle fell from his lips onto the floor, followed by a long raspy gasp from his throat. He stretched a hand out to them, and fell face forward onto the wooden floor boards.

Malius brought back to the here and now by the sound of the body hitting the floor was able to catch a glimpse of something flashing by the open inn door, something green, scaly, with a long tail. As the others scrambled to move outside Malius too began to move.

“Podo, Codo scout from the rooftops” he asked of his two ferrets, his animal empathy relaying his request to them. Bow in hand and a new magical arrow notched, he himself headed to the Inn’s roof, from there he hoped he would be able to cover the town and get a fix on what danger the party once again faced.....

A terrible anguish appeared on Elessarae’s face and whoever saw it could not mistake the agony of her expression. The anguish she had felt at the attack of this new MAOUS was born deep within Elessarae. The base of her grief came not only from the current situation, but also from those in the earlier and from the knowledge that it was happening all of Sylvaria. The distress of Sylvaria under such an attack was heartwrenching.

Because of her father’s position as a Bard and her mother’s position in the Royal Cavalry, Elessarae had traveled much with her family. She had an opportunity to experience many of the great places in the 3 kingdoms, natural and Sylvari made. Young Elessarae had seen the wonders of Alloryen; Aratar Barad the Exalted Tower, and spent a day with her father playing to Mirily-Wen Duin, the Glittering Maiden River, and as a wonderstruck child stood in awe of Ela-Ishtel, Star Castle.

In Londelirinen she lived in the City of Sillarion Somion’Enrai, the Aerie of the High King, had gone west to see Amantalar’men, the Place of the Blessed Ground, and east to the graceful Silma Brand, the Starlit Tower.

In Maelamin she had spent 4 days with her father as he sang to, and of, the most beautiful waterfall in the world. This inspired Elessarae to be a Bard as nothing else ever had. Even Elessarae had created a song for Amban Aluria, the Hillside Waters where the waters rushing off a rocky outcropping cascaded down the rocky face of the hill in a frothing white veil of falling waters. When the sun hit the mists just right the falls created tiny sunbows making the falls come alive with color. Elessarae had been to Moritour, the Darkwood, and Malmalen, the Golden Circle, and finally the one place where she swore the one day she would build her own tower, Teukelytha Duin, the Moon Horse River. She had gone with her mother with a group of Royal Cavalry to see if any of the Moon Horses would choose to serve as mounts for the Troops. She had been entranced by the graceful and intelligent creatures, for to call them a horse was to understate what they were. She even wrote her first long poem about the graceful white and silver steeds.

Elessarae’s deep love of Sylvaria included all the flora and fauna, the land itself, the beautiful rivers, and other natural features that filled her with wonder along with the great cities and small villages, the creations of her people in arts and crafts, their culture with its music and literature. The love of her land and its people became such that she wanted to protect it. After wanting to become a Bard like her father and then experiencing what life in Sylvaria inspired young Elessarae tpo vow to defend her world. It became her life's goal at a very tender age to do just that and she had persevered to become a Bladesinger as her way of defending all that was Sylvaria against all the Evils that threatened it.

Elessarae raised her blade hilt to her face. Her face was now changed as if one had suddenly transformed her features in steel, the steel that had been forged in the nameless village in the battle with the Goblins and the Ogre. Sylvaria was greatly threatened and the magnitude of the threat was beyond ability of a single Bladesinger to deal with, but such was her deep and abiding love for her land that she made it her fight.

“Deities of Good, Please hear my vow,” Elessarae called out in a clear ringing voice, “My life for Sylvaria, my Blade for all the Evils that threaten it.” With that she thrust the blade high into the air. Her commitment was affirmed.

Her face was now one of steely resolve and a tenacious determination to defend Sylvaria. Her eyes meet Draven’s strange gaze again, this time with the light of battle glowing in them. She moved out to find the beast and slay it.

Loda's cup fell from her hand to the floor, the ale spilling its goldenly liquid all over. She stood shocked as the barkeep fell dead and something massive flew or ran by the window.

" Gothard, come here! Stay by my side will ya?"

Loda reached for her shield that was resting next to her on the all, and unsheathed her axe, wielding it with a deadly grip. If this thing is another mutant animal, she will have to put it down, for the rest of the forests sake.

She hustled towards the door, wiping her mouth of the recent meal and drink, and walked just outside the mouth of the inn, where Draven had just exited. She had seen Elessarae getting ready, and others too, but she needed to get a look at this thing for herself.

" Be prepared for anything, this is some serious damage for us not to notice right away."

Loda looked around at the bodies strewn about the streets, and wondered at even how Gothard hadnt noticed the mass carnage that was ensewing as they ate their morning meal. She wondered if even these people had enough time to eat their morning meal with their families. She hoped they did, as it was their last time ever together again.

Thondrek had only just finished his leisurely stroll throughout the quaint village as everyone listened to the young Bladesinger discuss the dire situation at hand. Thondrek had started making his way towards the bar to refill his empty mug when the innkeeper staggard forward to fall dead; mere inches from his feet.

Snapping his head from side to side, Thondrek only noticed his companions as everyone took up arms and rushed outside. Following the trend, he quickly picked up his Guisarme once more resting against the outer wall, and was shocked at the sheer carnage wrought where he had been walking only moments before.

With his eyes and ears peeled, Thondrek kept his back to the buildings as he fanned out with the others to try and determine what threats lay around.

Alloryen Kingdom
Hith Elee
6th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
10:26 am
They were on their feet fast, but even the bravest or most foolish were unable to catch more than a glimpse of this creature that had slaughtered the entire village while they had been eating breakfast.

Draven and Elessarae were out within a heartbeat, only to find the area deserted. Malius was next, ordering his two ferrets onto the rooftops. The dark-skinned ranger himself climbed onto the inn, where he got a good look of the town, and the scattered remains of its inhabitants. The area seemed too calm, with not a bird disturbing the oppressing absence of movement.
The other members of the party exited The Solanis Paean as well, in time to see Elessar vowing the destruction of this enemy in the name of all good. But the enemy was nowhere to be seen, and after a minute the tension began to evade slightly into awareness. Whatever they had seen, it had left them, or it was hiding particularly well from the heroes’ prying eyes.

It was then that Malius noticed a change in the air. A sound approached his ears, and then the ones on the forest ground heard it too. A horse was coming closer rapidly. Several moments later, they could see it through the trees, baring on its back the Lady Quilanday, whose face was stern.

When she reached them, she did not take any notion of the dead bodies. It was only when she had descended from her steed, and walked up to Elessarae that she realized the picture of this town was wrong. He mouth dropped open, and she glared at the companions in disbelief.

“Wha…” She swallowed the pointless question. She knew the answer. Dragging the heroes with her into the inn, she questioned them about what had happened. During their conversation she seemed not the woman they had come to know. Her stubborn recklessness was gone, or had subsided for the moment, and she kept glancing at Elessar more than she did at the others. When they had finally told her what had happened since they parted she relayed to them that one of the infected trees that her fellow bladesinger had spoken of, was situated very close to this village. She had sent armed forces to take care of other infected trees, but was hoping the adventurers would aid the Sylvari Empire in taking down the last one standing. As she had mentioned in her letter they would be greatly rewarded.

“I suggest you make a plan here, while you’re safe; a plan to find this tree, and to see what you’re going to do once you’ve found it. I have a vial of essence of the Rilma Lotus here for you, but it is a weak and hastily made ointment. The tree will need all of this to heal completely. We have also learned that destroying the tree is not enough. The essence of the Lotus needs to be smeared on it, or it will continue to pollute the grounds it’s rooted in.”

As the companions conversed among each other, she took Elessarae aside, asking her to step away with her for a minute. She had some bad news.

Elessarae nodded to the older Bladesinger, and repeated that she had told the others to her. Elessarae was intent on the group and her surroundings, while Quilanday spoke, her head sweep back and forth, her intense stare raked the forest about the village and her ears moved to better hear any sound so she did not catch all the times the Lady had glanced at her, and she put no meaning to it those looks she did see. As Lady Quilanday spoke of the potion of the Rilma Lotus Elessara added.

"I too have a potion of the Rilma Lotus that I got from Flame Tower."

When Lady Quilanday finished speaking to the group, she indicated she had something to tell Elessarae, so the younger Bladesinger went off to the side with her.