Elfgame Episode 3

[17:43] <Tim> The evening is wearing on.  The sun is setting, casting a copper-red glow across the western fields, still fallow from the winter's chill, and many of the farmers are heading home to their farms and an early night before the spring planting begins tomorrow.  Some of the representatives are also setting out, but most have chosen to stay the night at the inn and set out when it's light. ...
[17:43] <Tim> ...Felistree bids Idir goodnight, shooting one last glance at him over her shoulder before heading into Mara's Inn with Lleandrid.  The night passes uneventfully, and the Town Council retires to whatever rest they find.  The night is peaceful, and the next morning dawns bright and clear, but with an ominous line of clouds on the horizon hinting at possible rain later on in the day.
03[17:47] * Joins: Lestari (Blaxploita@sux-E98A9AFD.brainerd.net)
06[17:54] * Lestari wakes up early as usual, happily collecting herself for the day, before heading off to meet with the parties that would require her attention, her mask slung haphazardly around her neck as usual.
06[17:55] * @Idir_Haida woke early as well, reading one of his books and breaking his fast, before rejoining the group.
[17:55] <Karen> Sariel is, like usual, up early.
[17:56] <Karen> She's been doing her reading, the storm slyph enjoying the time outside even if it's cold out.
06[17:56] * Nienna_Carnes`ir wakes up more or less early--she occasionally lapses into a slightly skewed day/night cycle, with how the mines are--to eat a good breakfast and then go about morning business--chatting with people as they go about their morning business, smiling, and being friendly.
[18:02] <Tim> Flit.  Flitflit.  FlitflitflitBONK!  There's a yelp, and a human-sized figure circling the town bumps into the underside of the ladder leading to Sariel's house...the highest in the village...and slowly spirals downwards toward the concourse below, catching herself at the last moment and landing with a bounce in front of the Councilors, "Hello!"  It's a rather short Mer female, with the...
[18:02] <Tim> ...sharklike gills of an ocean mer and skin of a deep, greyish blue striped with silver.  More unusually, she has a pair of wings.  Strange-looking ones, wide and fleshy, rather like those one would expect to see on a pterodactyl, two sets of them, emerging from her shoulders.  Although her flying is a little clumsy, she recovers quickly, and salutes, "Would you like to hear about the best,...
[18:03] <Tim> ...cheapest, newest, and ONLY certified mail service in the Freemarches?"  She grins hugely, as if pleased with herself for getting it right.
[18:04] <Karen> "....Ah! Are you Slyph?!" she beams, fluttering to the girl, looking pleased.  "Am slyph too!"
[18:04] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "... Ah? Certified mail service?"
01[18:05] <@Idir_Haida> "Ah, no, she is Mer of some kind. And a mail service WOULD be rather handy."
[18:05] <Tim> "Yes!  Oh, a sister!" She beams back, grabbing Sariel's hands and spinning her around, "Hello hello!  I'm...oh damn, I forgot my speech." Her shoulders droop, but only momentarily!  Quickly recovering, she grins and points at Idir, "You're right and wrong!  I'm...well...the only Mer Storm Sylph that I know of..."
[18:06] <Karen> "Yes! You can stay here if want! Home open to you!" beaming.  Heeee.  She pulls the other slyph into a hug.  That's great! She loves her sisters! Well...."sisters".  Even if she's never met them before.
[18:07] <Lestari> "Mail service...?" Lestari asks to no one in particular in a quiet voice.
[18:08] <Tim> "I'm Marinya, founder and proprietor of, er, Mermail!  For a few chips or whatever currency you favor, I'll take letters back and forth to the other towns.  But I don't go into the Hunter's Realm, or south of Hub.  Well, not unless I manage to find someone else who lives down that way and can fly, y'see?  Ehe."
[18:08] <Tim> Chips would presumably be amber chips, one of many popularly traded forms of money.
[18:09] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Well, that's certainly a useful service to provide."
01[18:10] <@Idir_Haida> "It is." He seems to be thinking heavily. "Do you have patronage of any kind?"
[18:10] <Tim> "If you could just get the word out, that I'll be stopping through every so often to pick up more letters, that would help a lot."
[18:10] <Tim> "Patronage?  Um.  What's that?  I'm a clean girl, mister, I don't do anything like that." She frowns suspiciously.
[18:11] <Karen> "You can stay here! When tired! Have extra room!"
[18:11] <Karen> Sariel nods, eagerly
01[18:11] <@Idir_Haida> "No, that's...not what I mean. I'm Idir Haida, a Merchant Prince of House Haida. I was curious if anyone had done anything like provide you with money or materiel to help you get started."
[18:15] <Tim> "...Um, I mostly just, fly.  I'm a real Storm Sylph, you know, I can protect myself.  What do you mean by material?  Is...does something show when I fly!?  Oh no, I thought switching from skirts to pants would prevent this!" She wails, hugging Sariel tight.
03[18:15] * Karen is now known as Sariel
06[18:15] * @Idir_Haida sighs. "I'm going to need some charts and ink for this."
[18:15] <Tim> "An extra room sounds great!  I'm used to bartering letter-carrying services for a stay at inns, and food."
06[18:15] * Sariel blushes.  "Is very pretty though.  Not worry, yes? Wish was as pretty as you."
[18:16] <Tim> "But you're beautiful!  I wish I had hair as blue as yours.  Mine is just weedy green."
06[18:16] * Nienna_Carnes`ir eyes the woman lightly. "Ah, I think my companion here means materials as in... generic, but useful products to help you do your job easier, hmm?"
01[18:16] <@Idir_Haida> "I'll be right back. I need to...make a charted explanation of patronage really quickly."
[18:18] <Tim> "...Like more clothes, or a bigger bag?  I dunno, this one weighs a lot when it's full..." She has a letter bag secured to her belt, in the back, to keep it getting in the way of her wings or unbalancing her the way it would if it hung off her hip.
[18:18] <Sariel> "AH! Must be very strong! Can only fly with self!....my master had me do ritual when young...always small and slyph, yes?  Many many decades"
01[18:19] <@Idir_Haida> "Hmm, more like a bag that is more comfortable to carry around, or using merchant connections to attract more sylphs to divide the labor. Or advertising to increase your revenue. Things of that nature."
[18:19] <Tim> "It's 'cause your bones are hollow.  It's why my teacher told me not to crash into things...so often..." The Mer glances ruefully up at where she banged her head.
[18:20] <Tim> Blink, blink blink, "...What's raven-ew?"
[18:20] <Sariel> "Most slpyhs not strong.  OH.  Money!"
01[18:20] <@Idir_Haida> "Chips, shells, that sort of thing."
[18:20] <Tim> "Oh!  Money, I like that!  Really, though, I like this bag, is something wrong with it?"
01[18:21] <@Idir_Haida> "Nothing, of course, It is just that most entrepreneurs like yourself start out with materials they would like to upgrade from when they have the money."
[18:21] <Lestari> "...Couldn't you just deliver a message yourself...?" Lestari asks quietly to herself once more, as she stands back and watches the conversations.
[18:23] <Tim> "You could, but can you do it as fast as me?  Besides, you're probably all gainfully employed, no time to run letters to whoever and whatever.  I've got plenty of spare time!  I'll do it!"
01[18:24] <@Idir_Haida> "Very well then, I'll be sure to keep you in mind when I need mail delivered."
[18:24] <Tim> "Hmm...you really wanna give me money, huh?  Tell you what, if I get more letter-carriers, I'll probably need all of that money, and material so that they have pants and nobody calls us homewreckers or anything!  I'll talk to you about it then, Mister Tall-and-Dark."
[18:25] <Sariel> "Well, are being sleepy?" more hugging.  "Hungry? Can make food!" She misses her fellows!
[18:25] <Sariel> "Ah! Right! Am Sariel!"
01[18:25] <@Idir_Haida> "Alright then, just contact me when you think you need it."
[18:28] <Tim> "No, I don't think I could sleep if I tried!  If you want to feed me, though...it IS awfully hungry work, all of this flying..." You don't need any sort of training to recognize someone hamming it up a little.
01[18:29] <@Idir_Haida> "That's simple enough. The innkeeper is serving breakfast right now."
[18:31] <Tim> The Mer continues hugging the tiny Long-Ear until Idir mentions breakfast, which causes her finny ears to poke nearly straight up, "Breakfast~?!  Yay!  Where?" She bounces off the ground, and forgets to come quite all the way back down, her wings flapping.  It's not so much hovering as it is zipping back and forth over an area of a few yards.
06[18:31] * Sariel beams and follows suit.  "Can be having breakfast please? Am huuuungry!"
[18:32] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "WEll, that's certainly a good enough plan. I've eaten already, but we should have time to dally some before we have to leave."
01[18:32] <@Idir_Haida> "I /suppose/ I could be persuaded to spring for breakfast, yes. It's down a level or so from here. Hard to keep track of the levels in this town, too many half-levels."
[18:36] <Tim> "It's 'cause you're so vertical here.  Lots of towns are all flat and spread-out...no, wait, Birchbark is in treehouses.  And Farls is on stilts which are also trees so I guess they DO live in treehouses, huh?" She beams at Idir, following after him, "...And Fernie is on a mountainside, and, hum, I don't remember much about Whitton.  Fernie is boring too, nobody had any interesting mail. ...
[18:36] <Tim> ...The best kind is the sort with paper that smells like flowers, I always put that on top so it doesn't get mushed up with my spare socks.  I bet those are love letters, do you think they're love letters?" She zips along after the others., head turning this way and that as she seeks out the rumored breakfast everyone is promising.
[18:37] <Tim> "I want breakfast!  And breakfast for my sister!"
[18:38] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I prefer the love letters scented with certain mineral oils, honestly. It reminds me of home. Flowers are nice, but ore and gems... they speak to me," the long-ear muses idly. "Not literally, of course, but you understand what I'm saying."
[18:39] <Tim> "...Yeah!  You're saying that you're not a cheap date!" Flutter!
[18:39] <Sariel> "Ah! How long been slyph for? Do you are knowing?" flutter flutter.
[18:39] <Sariel> "Have been for many many decades! Is why grew up so small, yes? And why hair blue and eyes gold!"
[18:39] <Lestari> "I mean...just because they're smelling like flowers doesn't mean they're love letters, does it? There are lots of flowers in these parts, afterall."
[18:41] <Tim> "Ummmm...it's been a few decades.  Pfft, silly islander, this is just like when you guys pretend to know all about the sea even though you can't even breathe it.  You wouldn't send flower-paper to someone you hate." She thinks for a moment, "Unless it's raff...raffles...raffloosia...that big south-flower that smells like bad meat."
[18:42] <Lestari> "I don't see why you'd need to send a letter to anyone. Unless you hate them, I suppose. I'd much rather just go meet someone I wanted to send fancy paper too."
01[18:43] <@Idir_Haida> "There are many nuances to communication. Not all are so easily understood by all."
01[18:44] <@Idir_Haida> "In any case, we're here now. I suppose buying you breakfast would be a good start to a possible working relationship, so it's my treat."
[18:45] <Tim> "Hmph.  Why send a letter?  Why send a letter!?" She puffs her chest out, even though it isn't much of one, "What if you don't live near them?  What if they're far away in an enchanted castle on the moon and you can't talk to them?  You'd wish you could write a letter then, but if they didn't exist, you couldn't!  Not at all!  Then you'd be stuck and it would be a Doomed Love and poets would...
[18:45] <Tim> ...get rich off of it and not give you a single shell!"
[18:45] <Tim> "See?  Letters are useful."
01[18:45] <@Idir_Haida> "Sariel, please show your sister the things there are to eat here before she explodes."
[18:46] <Sariel> "Okay Idir!" brighlty as she takes the slyph by the hand, fluttering off with her to the inn.  She's super excited it see,s
[18:46] <Sariel> seems*
[18:49] <Tim> Mara looks inquisitively up from where she's serving fresh eggs, fried bread, and a side of Beilwin's homegrown bacon to a couple of miners enjoying a day off.  Twitch is working the bar, the scarred-up elf assiduously polishing the already-gleaming hardwood to a fine finish between customers.  He nods to the group as they come in, his harsh, raspy-quiet voice as warm as he can make it,...
[18:49] <Tim> ..."Councillors.  New friend?"
01[18:49] <@Idir_Haida> "Seems that way. Mara, this is Marinya. She's starting up a mail delivery service in the Freemarches."
[18:51] <Sariel> "Is slyph like me! Am sisters, yes!" beaming
[18:52] <Tim> "Oh hello, dear!  I say, a mail service?  How exciting!  Come, come, sit.  You can't get anything done without a good breakfast in you, isn't that what I always say, dear?" Mara beams at her husband, who grunts in presumable agreement, "Do you want some ale, Councilor Haida?  Goodness, Sorceress...er, Councilor Sariel, I don't see much of a family resemblance besides the wings, but I suppose...
[18:52] <Tim> ...that's alright.  Family is family, after all, whether or not they're blood."
[18:52] <Sariel> "Yes! Sister slyph! So all sisters!"
[18:54] <Tim> Twitch starts putting together some plates.  The eggs are fresh and the bacon is excellent...there is a reason why Beilwin is the richest pig farmer in town....served in thick, crispy slices.  The fried bread is used as a plate for the eggs, and eaten with them.
01[18:54] <@Idir_Haida> "Yes, thank you Mara."
[18:54] <Tim> *secondary plate
06[18:55] * Sariel devours all of it.  She weighs barely anything but she's ravenous!
[18:56] <Tim> Marinya sets in on her own plate with equally sharklike appetite, but worse table manners.
06[18:57] * Lestari doesn't get that hungry early ing the morning. That'll probably come later in the day, she's sure.
[18:57] <Tim> Mara serves Lestari some breakfast anyway, growing girls need their strength, and Lestari IS the pride of the village when it comes to skill at arms.
06[18:58] * @Idir_Haida drinks his ale, sighing for his wallet.
06[18:58] * Lestari doesn't say no, of course. She doesn't eat nearly as fast as the two Slyphs, though.
06[18:58] * Nienna_Carnes`ir tucks away a little extra breakfast herself. "Thank you, Mara." She's not a ravenous eater, and already had as mall breakfast, so. "It certainly is an intriguing time, isn't it?"
[19:00] <Tim> "It certainly is.  A full-sized Council, and I've heard something about satyrs in the outlying farms, and our dear Councilor Haida was seen walking around all day yesterday with some copper-haired elfmaid, hmmmm?" She nudges Idir as she passes, "Going to finally put down some roots in this town?  Start a family?  Somebody should!"
[19:01] <Tim> Marinya grins excitedly, "Gossip?  I love gossip!  Tellme!"
[19:02] <Sariel> "Ah! What is happening? Is gossip? Bad things that Mister Haida is doing? Or good ones?"
01[19:02] <@Idir_Haida> "I have much that I must do before starting a family. And I cannot confirm or deny the existence of satyrs, nor their presence in the outlying farms at this time."
[19:03] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "He isn't the only one looking to settle down, you know," Nienna says cheekily. "Though I'll admit I already have roots in the area. Quite deep ones, if you'd believe it." She chuckles gently.
[19:06] <Tim> "That we know, dear, you're a Carnes'ir!  I just know you'll find somebody splendid very soon." Mara pats Nienna understandably on the shoulder, "But if you'll take my advice...don't make the mistake I did with my first marriage.  Make sure he's the right one."
[19:06] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I'll try," she replies.
06[19:09] * Lestari crosses her arms a bit. "It's true, roots grow fast, it seems."
[19:09] <Tim> "Why, my first husband was such a brute that I ran away from Hub!  He sent men after me, and I thought I was going to be killed, but this brave Greenwood soldier was fishing in the Bumble river, and he held those ruffians off until his friends arrived to help.  He nearly died, poor, sweet thing.  So I nursed him back to health at the nearest town, we got married, and, well, my dream had...
[19:10] <Tim> ...always been to own my own inn...so I did."
06[19:11] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods, listening to the tale.
01[19:12] <@Idir_Haida> "The Hub can be like that, most times."
[19:12] <Tim> Twitch turns a faintly reddish shade, mutters something about more firewood, and vanishes out the back door.
[19:13] <Sariel> "Is very romantic! Very nice! Am glad happy ending!"
[19:14] <Tim> Marinya frowns, "But it's history, I like current events!  Can I tell people about this Haida guy and that copper-haired female?  Can I?  I want to!"
[19:14] <Lestari> "Must have been some fight. You've got to admire someone who can fight multiple opponenets by themselves."
[19:15] <Tim> "Well, he was very badly hurt, dear.  For a while I thought he wouldn't survive, and that was the worst...so don't you go being incautious, understood?" The innkeeper points an accusatory ladle at Lestari.
[19:15] <Sariel> "Please am not unless Mister Haida say yes!"
[19:16] <Tim> "...Also, what's this about fast-growing roots, scary islander girl?" Marinya looks curiously up at Lestari.
01[19:19] <@Idir_Haida> "I'd prefer you didn't given that you don't actually know anything about what has gone on."
[19:19] <Lestari> "Ah...It's just, being elected as a councilor, and all. I'd feel bad if I left, you know?"
[19:20] <Tim> "We'd be very sorry if you did, dear.  You've done quite a lot for our town, all of you." Mara says firmly, refilling everyone's drinks.
[19:21] <Lestari> "Well, everyone was so hospitable, that I feel obliged to help out when I can..." Lestari says, looking down at her feet. People bringing up her help is always a little embarassing, for some reason. She scratches the back of her neck.
[19:22] <Tim> "Well, I won't keep you from your important town business all day.  Meanwhile, I'll take your new friend around and see if anyone has any letters that need delivering."
06[19:28] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Sounds like a wonderful plan."
06[19:30] * Lestari nods. "Thanks for the meal, it was well cooked." she says, nodding along with her compliment
06[19:33] * @Idir_Haida nods in agreement. "We should go meet with Yaenger then, and get this all ironed out."
[19:35] <Lestari> "That's a good idea. The sooner we do, the less chance they have to forget the deal, or something like that."
[19:36] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Shall we, then?"
[19:49] <Tim> The stables are set below the town itself, in enclosures made from sung, low-light-requirement plants, mostly scrub saplings.  There is a ladder leading up into one of the flower-huts, where the stablemaster keeps his accounts and bedding, and a wide door for horses to be led out from.  This is typical of storage facilities in the town, Idir's wagons are kept in a similar sort of below-town...
[19:49] <Tim> ...barn when not in use.  The addition of these buildings adds another layer of reinforcement to the concourse above.  It doesn't take long, especially since Ereth reliably informed the stablemaster that the horses and wagons would be required in the morning, to get everything ready and set out.  Yaenger, his jet-black fur speckled with dew, is leaning up against the menhir that points the...
[19:49] <Tim> ...way to the town.  He's snoring softly, wrapped in a thick, secondhand wool cloak.
06[19:52] * Nienna_Carnes`ir clears her throat a bit to try and get the Satyr's attention. "Ah, good morning, there."
[19:54] <Tim> He jumps up with a surprised bleat, whipping out his long, curved knives, "BAAAAHck, butchers!  You won't get m-er, hello.  Councilors.  Maaah, how embarrassing.  I wAAAAHs too early and fell asleep waiting."
01[19:55] <@Idir_Haida> "Ah, apologies for that, we were somewhat sidetracked in town. Are you ready?
01[19:55] <@Idir_Haida> "
06[19:57] * Lestari had her mask on ahead of time, just in case. "I'd like to get on the road when you're ready, Satyr."
[19:59] <Tim> "Yes, come on, eldest brother is waiting." Impatiently, the satyr hops up onto the driver's seat of the caravan.  The horses whicker nervously, but the fact that their owners don't seem alarmed reassures them, and they plod onward, into the farms.  Here and there, you see satyrs.  Some are working the fields, with varying degrees of success.  A passle of kids are playing some sort of game...
[19:59] <Tim> ...that involves standing in a circle and butting a woven ball with their heads to keep it in the air.  As you travel on, you see more and more of them, until at last you arrive at a stately farmhouse...built much like a smaller hut or hogan, but on a grander scale.  Six or seven mongrel dogs are tied up outside, and the door has clearly been enlarged from its original size.
[20:02] <Tim> "LITTLE BROTHER!"  A voice echoes like a foghorn, sounding almost more like the bugle of an elk than the bleat of a goat.  A massive, hulking figure shifts into view between the huts, stamping forward on hooves larger than dinner plates.  Ten feet high, it towers, before including its horns, with massively broad shoulders and hands, thickly muscled.  The fur on his legs is reddish-brown,...
[20:02] <Tim> ...matching his hair, and his horns have been sharpened to a razor's edge, standing proud above his bluff, amiable face.  The massive satyr leans an arm on the wagon, which creaks and tilts towards him slightly, "YOU HAAAAHVE BROUGHT VISITORS, HMMMM?'
06[20:04] * Nienna_Carnes`ir examines the older satyr, taking in his appearance carefully. She glances to her companions to see what they think, but she seems mildly impressed.
06[20:04] * @Idir_Haida continues to size up the massive satyr, a tad floored by his sheer size, but maintaining his composure.
[20:11] <Tim> "SHAAAAHRKMAIDEN." He fixes his large, brown eyes on Lestari, "I HAVE HEARD MUCH OF YOUR VALOR!  YOUNGER BROTHER SAYS THAT BLOOD DAAAAHNCED AROUND YOU LIKE RIBBONS FROM THE SPEED OF YOUR STRIKES." He smiles genially, while the wagon creaks under his weight.  He seems bluff and friendly.
[20:11] <Tim> *OF YOUR BLOWS."
[20:19] <Lestari> "I suppose you're brother is honest, then, at least." Lestari says, warily.
[20:29] <Tim> "WHEN IT SUITS HIM, MAIDEN, WHEN IT SUITS HIM." The huge satyr chuckles.  Meanwhile, Yaenger glares sharply at him, "Where are your clothes?  You promised you'd wear clothes, so they didn't get a bad impression of us." "BUT BROTHER!" The huge satyr frowns unhappily, "I AAAHM CLAD!  SEE?  A STURDILY-TIED BREECHCLOUT NEGATES IMPROPRIETIES!"  "Baaah!  That doesn't count as clothes!  Go get...
[20:29] <Tim> ...dressed!" "BUT BROTHER, WHAAAAHT IS THE POINT OF POSSESSING A GLORIOUS MUSCULATURE AND COVERING IT UP?"  "Other elves won't mistake you for a troll!" The two satyrs bleat loudly at each other, although in the big satyr's case, it still sounds more like some huge mammal trumpeting than a domestic goat.
06[20:31] * Nienna_Carnes`ir quirks an eyebrow and suppresses a grin. Ah, sibling arguements.
[20:34] <Tim> "BAAAAAH!  VERY WELL, A STOUT CLOAK, TOO, BUT NO MORE!" While the two are arguing, the gentle strains of a reed-pipe being played echo through the air from somewhere.  The huge satyr raises his head and stops pointing a sausage-sized finger into his little brother's face, "THESE GUESTS ARE FOR AAAAAHLDER, YES?  TAKE THEM IN, THEN, YAENGER WEEEEEHLL-DRESSED!"
06[20:40] * @Idir_Haida mutters "Well, It's good that I didn't get presumptive."
[20:40] <Lestari> "Seems like we'll get to the important one, now..." Lestari mumbles quietly.
[20:42] <Tim> "HRM!  WELL!  I AAAAHM MENDEL GRUF.  I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING IMPORTAAAAHNT." His long ears droop at Lestari's words.
06[20:42] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Can only imagine what he'll be like," she says. "And to be fair, everyone is important, but you aren't the one we're supposed to be coming to terms with, hmm? She means no disrespect."
06[20:44] * Lestari bids, "Yeah, that's right."
[20:47] <Tim> "BAH, WORRY NOT, I DO LEAVE SUCH THINGS TO MY BROTHERS." He pats Lestari's head with one shovel-sized hand, and Nienna's with the other, chuckling in a voice low enough to sound like gravel churning in a bucket, "YOU MAY PAAAAHSS IN ANY CASE."
06[20:50] * Lestari grumbles a bit, before passing, as it were
06[20:50] * @Idir_Haida goes inside as well, nodding to Mendel
06[20:50] * Nienna_Carnes`ir offers as polite a smile as she can, considering the head-patting.
[20:56] <Tim> Inside, the house is airy and light.  The non-load-bearing walls of the lower floor have all been knocked out to make one large, main room.  Sheet music, scribbled on everything from fine parchment, scraps of vellum, wide pieces of bark and even shells, is nailed up all over the walls, and in the middle sits a simple cushion.  Seated atop it, legs crossed, is...a lean satyr with snow-white...
[20:56] <Tim> ...skin and hair, his horns tightly curled and golden-bright.  An imposing goatskull mask conceals his face, save for the mouth and the little beard that satyrs occasionally manage to grow.  A massive sword, shaped like a farmer's machete, wide and single-edged with a forward-facing hook-like projection at the end, but huge enough to necessitate the use of both hands even by a strongly-built...
[20:56] <Tim> ...elf, rests by his side.  He'd be a few inches shorter than Yaenger, standing up, and unlike the youngest brother's stolen clothing or Mendel's...lack...this one is neatly dressed in azure trousers that are tied off above the fetlocks with two lengths of scarlet ribbon, and a russet tunic with loose, wide sleeves.  He holds a set of panpipes, which he sets aside as the Councilors enter,...
[20:56] <Tim> ...and speaks in a clear, refined voice without a trace of the bleating the others can't seem to stop from doing, "Good morning to you all.  You are the Council of Bluebells, are you not?"
06[20:58] * @Idir_Haida nods. "That is correct. I am the Merchant Prince Idir Haida." He leaves room for the others to introduce themselves.
06[20:59] * Nienna_Carnes`ir inclines her head respectfully, even offering a bow. "And I am Nienna Carnes'ir, of the Carnes'ir mines."
06[21:02] * Lestari nods. "That's right, we're here to do some talking, it seems."
[21:03] <Tim> "Yaenger spoke of offers made, and that we could keep these lands in exchange for...refresh my memory."
01[21:05] <@Idir_Haida> "Well, the confirmation that Bluebell cedes its claims to this town was given, and in exchange I was planning to use my caravans to barter with you and your people for the excess crops grown. You would, of course, be able to trade for any type of merchandise that I carry, though more specialized items will take time to acquire."
[21:06] <Tim> Alder's ears twitch, "Cede?  I had thought we would become citizens." He sounds worried.
06[21:06] * @Idir_Haida blinks. "Oh, my apologies, I misunderstood your intentions when speaking to your brother yesterday. I am truly sorry for the mixup."
[21:07] <Lestari> "It takes time for people to get used to this kind of thing anyway, on both sides i'm sure."
01[21:07] <@Idir_Haida> "If you wish to become citizens of Bluebell, that's an even stronger agreement than I had thought." He thinks intently.
[21:07] <Tim> "I had no intentions then, save to live quietly.  Yaenger was...tax collecting...without my permission, and came home with a story of great fighters and an offer made."
[21:07] <Tim> "The offer made was yours and yours alone."
[21:08] <Tim> "I had not asked for it, and will thank you to recount it in full, then, if there is confusion."
01[21:08] <@Idir_Haida> "Well, my misunderstanding was on the intentions of you and your people when you moved in here. I confess, some confusion was wrought by your brother's tax collecting."
[21:10] <Tim> Alder snorts, "Do you think we have the numbers for an independent town?  This close to the Blue Serpent?  We would be wiped out if anyone took offense to satyrs dwelling here...or if someone decided to exploit us as independent farm-labor, taking advantage of my people's ignorance to buy their crops for too little and sell them for much in the southron cities."
06[21:11] * @Idir_Haida frowns. "My intent was nothing of the sort, I assure you. I assumed that by collecting taxes, you had already declared an independent town, though now that I learn that it was done without your permission the situation has become clearer. Permit me to update the proposal to better align with my new understanding."
[21:13] <Tim> "We have been betrayed once already by elfkind, who reject us as an unwanted brother.  Forgive me if I am suspicious." The white satyr sighs heavily, "No, Yaenger still remembers our time as bandits with some misplaced fondness.  He is too young to remember why only desperate elves turn to brigandry, and our unwilling exodus from the last lands we settled on still smarts keenly in his mind. ...
[21:13] <Tim> ...Please proceed, Elves of Bluebell Town."
06[21:16] * @Idir_Haida clears his throat. "The proposal is as follows then: you and your people retain possession of the farms, to grow and live off of as you see fit. With the farms manned again, this area will be reintegrated into Bluebell Township, as it has not been since the Ghouls. I and my fellow councilors will begin the necessary work to expand our infrastructure back to this area, with all that entails." (Cont.)
01[21:18] <@Idir_Haida> "As citizens, there will be taxes levied after the harvest, but they will be used to pay for the reexpansion of infrastructure and guard patrols back into this area. In addition, due to my role as Councilor of Bluebell town, you will have the same rights as any citizen to place orders or trade with Haida caravans for anything that we carry. Things that we do not normally carry can also be acquired, but may take time depending on the rarity and expense of the item."
01[21:20] <@Idir_Haida> "That is what I have so far, anyway. If you have any questions or concerns I would be happy to address them."
[21:21] <Tim> Alder's ears flick back and forth as he thinks, "Many will wish to join these patrols.  Our way of life is often violent, despite my attempts to show the Gruf tribe that peace and cooperation will avail us more than marauding."
[21:22] <Tim> "Especially now.  Many are still angry, and our enemies have no more kindness in their hearts for your town than for us."
06[21:25] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "I am sure we can smooth any difficulties that integrating with our guard forces may have," she says. "The strength of your Satyrs would be welcome to our own, I believe." She glances to her allies with a light nod.
06[21:26] * @Idir_Haida nods in return.
[21:27] <Tim> "So, you know what opposes you, then?  I was hoping so, for my understanding of magical matters is dim."
01[21:28] <@Idir_Haida> "I assume this has to do with whatever has occurred in Redmoor?"
[21:32] <Tim> "Indeed it does.  So you know that our interests are mutual, then.  There is...one caveat.  My people will want one of our own on your Council, to seal the alliance.  We will not be unrepresented servants."
01[21:34] <@Idir_Haida> "I'm afraid that we're still attempting to gather information on what transpired in Redmoor ourselves, but given your demeanor about it, caution is wise."
[21:36] <Lestari> "The council has always had it's members elected by vote. I don't think anyone would allow one to just be pushed in instantly."
[21:37] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I'm sure the idea could be soul to our township... of course, for things to be proper, a counsilor from your people would still need to be voted in, I'd believe... a public vote, of confidence, as it were."
06[21:38] * @Idir_Haida nods. "It's easy to justify a fifth councilor coming in, especially with the reintegration of the farms. And, of course, as citizens your people would have a vote as well."
[21:39] <Tim> Alder bleats reflectively, nodding, "However you do it, it would do much to salve their fears.  Our people were mauled by these corpses that walk.  We saved as many as we could, but few of us have not lost family members, and fewer still haven't lost friends.  Truthfully, Yaenger has been taking the bulk of our warriors on these...expeditions of his, I was very cross with him, but I cannot...
[21:39] <Tim> ...deny a return to normalcy would be a good thing for my people."
06[21:51] * Nienna_Carnes`ir looks over ALder lightly, pondering. She glances to Idir and raises a questioning eyebrow.
06[21:54] * @Idir_Haida just gives Nienna a glance back. He doesn't really know any more than her.
01[21:58] <@Idir_Haida> "Well, I believe we can reach an equitable agreement then. Stepping up guard patrols both through expanded infrastructure and recruits from your people will provide great rewards for all of us, as well as trade and farming opportunities."
[22:00] <Tim> "Excellent, I am relieved.  Truth be told...I had worries that you were allied with our enemies.  If you had been complicit...I would not have stayed my blade, Trollsbane, from any of you."
[22:02] <Tim> "I confess it now to clear the air between us."
01[22:03] <@Idir_Haida> "I understand your fear. It must have been truly fearsome to force your people from Redmoor."
[22:12] <Tim> "We...came from further north.  In my father's time, he defied the Horned King, and although he was far stronger than Mendel, the Horned One destroyed him.  Our people escaped, coming south along the seashore, until we reached an outlying fishing hamlet of the town you know as Redmoor.  The plague had already passed through, but we were still desperate elves to claim such a place as our...
[22:12] <Tim> ...own." He shudders, "We lived as squatters, trading with the town.  I myself spoke to Councilor Sseilani to obtain permission.  At first, they taxed us heavily in fish and berries, harvested from the water and the bogs, but would not let us within the town itself.  Then these taxes began to wane, yet we were driven further and further from the town.  Strange guards they posted at their...
[22:12] <Tim> ...gates, stiff-limbed and slow-moving, yet strong.  Their faces were hidden behind masks.  Soon we came to know the nature of these creatures, for recently the corpses of elves slain by the plague or the ghouls have risen from their barrows, hungry for living flesh and warm blood.  Worse, the natural beasts have been similarly treated.  We thought to flee along a stream to hide our scent,...
[22:12] <Tim> ...yet the walking dead lay along the bottoms and set ambushes for us.  They are guided by a higher mind, for on their own they are dull and take little initiative.  Truly, when I saw your mask, that was when I suspected an alliance." He nods to Lestari.
06[22:13] * @Idir_Haida frowns. "That is incredibly disconcerting news."
[22:14] <Tim> "Over a hundred dead attacked our hamlet in the dead of night, you understand, and though Trollsbane put many back in the earth...there always seemed to be more.  I fear you are the closest town, and must be next."
[22:14] <Lestari> "...My mask is to confuse the spirits of the dead as they move on, not to consort with them in such a way."
[22:14] <Tim> "Their numbers make them a serious threat, even before the witchery that commands them."
06[22:17] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns. "Well then." She pauses for a moment. "A serious threat indeed. We'll need to make sure we are well-prepared for their coming. If you are correct--of which I, personally, have no doubt--then they will."
[22:18] <Tim> "We understand each other, then, and have an accord.  Please, be welcome among us, this is part of your town again, and we are your people, Councilors." Alder dips his head in a respectful bow.
06[22:19] * @Idir_Haida nods. "We'll look into building up our military then, recruiting satyrs and elves alike. We'll also have to speak to Sariel, if we can pry her away from her sister."
06[22:19] * @Idir_Haida has a disconcerting thought. "Was there any distinguishing characteristics you can think of besides masks?"
02[22:22] * Quits: Tim (chatzilla@238A28C4.43C298AB.2F84C4C.IP) (Ping timeout)
03[22:24] * Joins: Tim (chatzilla@238A28C4.43C298AB.2F84C4C.IP)
[22:25] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "And, if I may, what sort of equipment did they have? Anything... out of the ordinary?"
[22:31] <Tim> "No, they were actually quite poorly armed.  Mostly, they used their bare hands and teeth.  Some had weapons.  Fewer in the first wave, and more in the later ones.  I did see one strange figure, it seemed to wear a headdress of white vines or rootlets, and carried a pair of bronze blades.  It did not move like the others, there was no stiffness or slowness in it.  Ah!  Now I remember!  In...
[22:31] <Tim> ...the weeks before the attacks, now and then we would see an elfwoman wandering among the other deserted villages."
[22:31] <Tim> "We kept our distance, thinking she was some maddened survivor or hermit."
[22:33] <Tim> "When I say weapons, incidentally, I mean...sickles, hayforks, knives, cudgels.  Some had spears in the later waves, and spiked cudgels, but the first were quite primitive.  Even by our standards."
06[22:36] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "I see..."
01[22:37] <@Idir_Haida> "Well, it's a good thing I hadn't dispatched my caravans yet."
[22:38] <Tim> "Indeed.  You are one of the sand elves, yes?  The desert kin of the southern reaches?  I have heard that they are fearsome negotiators and prone to exceptional wealth."
01[22:38] <@Idir_Haida> "Yes, that is indeed my stock."
[22:41] <Tim> "And fine stock it is, simply surprising to see you so far north.  As for you...ah." The mouth beneath the bone mask smiles, "I know of your people.  The Long-Ears who work the earth here have deep roots.  Storms pass overhead without shaking them.  Neither Eduran nor Avalon made them bend their backs.  And you come with a fierce warrior.  A fine company, indeed.  Hope blossoms again for my...
[22:42] <Tim> ...people, and I thank you deeply for it.  You will not fight the Gruf Satyrs lacking in strength or courage."
06[22:43] * Nienna_Carnes`ir smiles lightly. "And it seems Strength and COurage will be something we shall need in surplus these coming days."
[22:44] <Tim> "Dark clouds part before the sun, my friends."
[22:48] <Tim> "...By the way, it, er, wasn't one of YOUR wagons Yaenger ransacked?  If so, I owe you money.  My people have eaten well from it, and truthfully I could not be so angry at my baby brother as I usually would, even though there were deaths."
06[22:49] * @Idir_Haida shakes his head. "It was not one of mine, no. Though the Councilor from Farls was present during the sacking. You may need to speak with her to make it right, but you do not owe me anything."
[22:54] <Tim> "...Is this hers, perhaps?" Alder rises, and walks over to a cabinet.  He pulls a small jewelry box out, "Yaenger took this during the incident."
[22:55] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "It could possibly be. Did she mention losing anything, Idir?"
01[23:00] <@Idir_Haida> "Not that I recall. May I look at it?"
[23:00] <Tim> "Of course." He passes it over.
06[23:01] * @Idir_Haida examines the box, looking for any distinguishing characteristics.
[23:06] <Tim> It's a locked...and the lock hasn't been forced, either, jewelry box of mahogany trimmed in gold.  It's carved in a pattern like dozens of serpents all coiling around the lock, with the initials 'S.M.' stylized on it.
[23:06] <Tim> *around the lock, fangs poised to strike, with the...
06[23:14] * @Idir_Haida utters a strange noise, something of a combination of a cough and a laugh once he realizes the owner.
01[23:15] <@Idir_Haida> "Well, to answer your question, It does not belong to Lady Felistree Ruathe. On the other hand I do know who it does belong to."
[23:16] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "oh?"
01[23:16] <@Idir_Haida> "A certain Lady Szarla Mellouk."
06[23:19] * @Idir_Haida composes himself. "In any case, if you wish I can send it with my caravans to the Hub to reunite her with it. I'm sure it was the only thing on the wagon she cared about."
06[23:24] * Nienna_Carnes`ir quirks an eyebrow. "I see, then."
[23:26] <Tim> "If I wish?" Alder blinks, "Well, I was trying to return stolen property, is she a friend of yours?  If she is, please take it with you, far be it from me to interfere.  I know how it is with does." He nods sagely.
06[23:27] * @Idir_Haida puts the box in his pack. "Thank you, I'll get it sent with my caravans south."
[23:28] <Tim> Alder nudges him, "Going to be accompanying it personally, to see this ladyfriend of yours, eh?  I'm sure she'll be grateful to get it back."
01[23:29] <@Idir_Haida> "Oh, no, unfortunately my duties to the town require me to stay close by. Maybe a letter to accompany it, though."
[23:31] <Tim> "Ha!  You're a billy yourself, Councilor.  I can see we'll get along."
06[23:35] * @Idir_Haida smiles. "More than you know. A pleasure doing business with you, Alder Gruf."
[23:39] <Tim> "My friends, it has indeed been a pleasure." The white satyr smiles beneath his goatskull mask, "Oh, and swordself..." He addresses this to Lestari , "You have good taste in headgear.  Perhaps mine will confuse enemy ghosts too."
[23:46] <Tim> At the stream, Ereth stops to water the horses again, the same as last time.  If pressed, he admits that he likes this spot, and that he enjoys watching the pear trees slowly bloom over the course of the spring.  It's a chance for everyone to get out and stretch their legs.  It's a little cool under the trees, but on the road itself, it's warm and sunny.
06[23:47] * @Idir_Haida takes the time to being writing (and discarding) a few drafts of scathing letters to Szarla
06[23:51] * Nienna_Carnes`ir rests under the trees a bit. The shade does better for her than the sun.
[23:58] <Tim> It's a pleasant interlude, but as you return to the wagon...something rushes up the dirt road from Bluebell town like a ball of fire.  A huge horse, made entirely of jointed brass, with fire blazing in its eyes.  Riding on its back is a Short-Ear woman, but clad like no other you've seen.  She wears plate harness seemingly crafted entirely out of giant, crystallized rose petals, with a...
[23:58] <Tim> ...wreath of roses above her brow, bright red hair...not coppery, but an almost pinkish shade of scarlet...and an axe slung into a scabbard on her saddle.  She doesn't see the wagon around the trees, and nearly crashes into it at the speed she's going.  With a cry of anger, she slams her armored boot into Nienna's chest as she passes, riding at absolutely full-tilt, "Out of my way, peasant hag!"
Session Time: Thu Oct 17 00:00:02 2013
06[00:00] * Nienna_Carnes`ir is sent sprawling, gasping for air as the boot slams into her chest. She climbs up with a pained, annoyed look on her face, suing her pick for some help> "PEASANT HAG?! I'LL SHOW YOU A PEASANT YOU CRAZED SHORT-EARED WOMAN!"
01[00:00] <@Idir_Haida> "Unkind cur! That is no way to treat a lady!"
[00:06] <Tim> The ground rumbles, not with hoofprints, but with a sort of rustling like the movement of large birds.  A dozen or so Short-Ears, their hair varying shades of green and their skin varying shades of tan or brown, ride after her on bipedal, bird-like creatures, long feathers forming a fan-shape at the end of their tails.  They have small forelimbs, though, and a mouthful of sharp teeth. ...
[00:06] <Tim> ...Riding lizards.  The elves are clad in long suits of rectangular ironwood chips stapled to a padded backing.  The mark of a green tree in a solid white circle flutters on each of their tabards.  They form up behind the brass horse as it crests the Blue Serpent, and turn to head northward along the road.
06[00:08] * Nienna_Carnes`ir watches after. "What in stone's name..."
01[00:14] <@Idir_Haida> "Greenwood this far south? Sandworms only know what they're doing here."
[00:15] <Tim> *north
06[00:16] * Nienna_Carnes`ir leans heavily on her pick, clutching her chest and wincing. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind asking after their leader's base insults AND her attack upon my body," the long-ear says in a huff.
01[00:16] <@Idir_Haida> "I would not either. It would reflect poorly on our town to let such a thing slide."
[00:20] <Tim> "I say...are you alright?"  A heavily accented, lyrical voice inquires.  Staggering out of the woods, yawning, is a Long-Ear wearing a bronze maille hauberk down to his knees, with a barbute-style helm crested by high, blue feathers.  His armor bears impressively detailed coloring, a spiraling pattern of blued metal woven into it, partially obscured by his surcoat, sky-blue with gold trim,...
[00:20] <Tim> ...and a white lily on his breast.  He leans on a round shield, and wears a sword at his hip, "Second time I have seen them.  So rude."
06[00:22] * Nienna_Carnes`ir looks the man over, especially the metals on him. "Just winded and bruised. I do not believe anything is broken, thankfully. If I may, who would you be, sir?"
[00:27] <Tim> "Your pardon.  I took a nap under the trees, until wakened.  My poor horse was to keep watch, but, ah.  He was tired as well." A blue-grey, dappled horse wanders out of the woods behind him.  The Long-Ear removes his helm, shaking out his golden hair, and bowing formally, "I have the honor to be Sir Gannaed Turlew, a cataphract of fair Avalon and knight-errant on mission to seek out a wanted...
[00:27] <Tim> ...fugitive."
[00:29] <Tim> His armor is expertly made, not just designed to be functional, but aesthetically appealing.  The seemingly-fine links are woven in such a way as to disperse impact effectively.  His harness has gold trim on it here and there, and gold ornaments on his horse's gear, while his swordhilt and scabbard are studded with opals.
01[00:30] <@Idir_Haida> "I am the Merchant Prince Idir Haida, Councilor of Bluebell Township. Well met."
06[00:30] * Nienna_Carnes`ir pays close attention to teh gold and opals, though she does appreciate the other metals as well. "sir Gannaed Turlew, hmm? Nienna Carnes'ir, also Councilor of BLuebell. A pleasure to meet you."
[00:32] <Tim> "Well met." He smiles at them both, "Well then!  I am in noble company.  Your country is lush and green, not stony like the cliff-city of Silverfalls.  I love my home, but yours is pleasant to gaze upon."
06[00:35] * Nienna_Carnes`ir inclines her head, offering a smile as well. "Your compliments honor us, Sir Turlew. If you've not yet entered the township itself, I can highly reccomend it--we would be honored to have you as a guest. Though, of course, I imagine you must be busy, chasing this fugitive as you are..." She turns her head lightly to the side, as if distraught.
[00:42] <Tim> Chagrin flashes over his features, "Milady, it would be my privilege, I assure you!  Let me assure you, money is no object, I would certainly rather spend the night at your inn than bivouacking in a ditch again...how is your inn, by the way?"
[00:42] <Tim> "Besides...my search grows wearying.  I fear my target could be anywhere by now."
01[00:43] <@Idir_Haida> "Our inn is quite good. Mara is an excellent hostess. And, if it is not too prying, who is your quarry?"
[00:45] <Tim> "I seek a maid of Avalon, a runaway, with hair as blue as the sky and golden eyes.  Sort of like the reverse of me, now that I think about it.  Oh, and she's small, very short, you might underestimate her age from it."
06[00:45] * Nienna_Carnes`ir smiles brightly. "Ah, wonderful to hear! As Idir says, our inn is very suitable, the keepers excellent hosts. And I do admit to some curiousity as to who you seek."
[00:46] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Hm. Golden eyes and blue hair, small and very short..."
06[00:46] * @Idir_Haida thinks on this a few moments.
[00:51] <Tim> "Milady, I fear for your injury.  Please, take my horse.  He is an exceptionally well-trained steed, and it shouldn't jostle you so much as the wagon."
06[00:52] * Nienna_Carnes`ir blushes light and inclines her head. "Ah, why, thank you. You honor me." She approache shte horse with a light smile, settling her pick back onto her back.
01[00:53] <@Idir_Haida> "Then I assume that you will accompany us to Bluebell? Perhaps you'll find some information there, we are fairly central in the Freemarches."
[00:56] <Tim>  "Of course, milord.  Or do you prefer Councilor?  I assure you, I will remember the hospitality of your town well."
[00:57] <Tim> The cataphract smiles, and reaches across the saddle, "Here, grab my hand, I will pull you up."
01[00:57] <@Idir_Haida> "Councilor is preferable. I am not averse to milord or prince. And we shall be sure to live up to your memories."
06[00:59] * Nienna_Carnes`ir takes his hand to help her up. "Thank you, Sir. I admit to being unused to horses in general still, I grew up in mines, not far from here."
06[01:01] * Tim pulls her up, onto the saddle, "Really?  I would have thought you were of noble birth from your bearing and the shape of your ears.  I'll have to teach you how to ride, while I'm here." He hangs his helm from the saddlehorn, and takes the reins to walk the horse.
06[01:04] * Nienna_Carnes`ir chuckles. "Ah, who said I was not? The Carnes'ir family has long been a noble and wealthy line, the mines and caverns of our home providing for us greatly."
[01:07] <Tim> "Really?  My apologies for my mistake.  I don't suppose I will have much time for visiting, though.  I am certain the family holdings are quite lovely.  Do you own much property yourself, milord prince?"
01[01:09] <@Idir_Haida> "Not so much these days, but it is a temporary situation, fortunately."
[01:15] <Tim> "I see, well.  That looks like your town up ahead...goodness, maybe it's a flower patch.  How fascinating!"
[01:15] <Tim> -Session end-