Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
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The food problem turned out to be a lot easier than he thought. He remembered he had contact with one active in the criminal underworld. One who could source things. He left a belladonna berry at the bounty hut, and went to the cave they spoke the last time they met.
The woman came in a half day later, and the two spoke of his options. After a bit of discussion, it was decided she would source him a daylight generator, like the one used in Sandburrow. He would naturally pay her well for this, and it was delivered the day after. In the meantime, they will still need food. Desperately so, thus he made her an offer. Smuggle them enough food, and he will supply them with all the magic wands and gems they could want. They agreed.
Elarion returned the following day with a fellow agent of the forest, and the two carried the device back inside the woods. They brought it somewhere with easy access to water, and Elarion went to gather dirt from the southern bog. He was told it would make for the best soil to grow plants, and he had no reason to doubt his source. After disposing of the undead haunting the place, he filled two buckets with as much as he could carry, and made sure he included several rooted flowers as well. Surely these would be a good indication if he can keep the soil alive in the forest.
After he came back, he wrote a report to the higher ups of the forest and delivered the first food supply at Syfana's quarters.
Day xxx of the first year of Syfana's age Elarion Hanolen
I have come in contact with a group of smugglers. They have provided me with useful information, and were able to source a device like the halflings use to grow crops. I was also able to negotiate a steady food supply for our forest. I believe we will need it while I work out the details of this device. We will need to ration, but no longer will our people need to rely on mana for survival. All of this is done trough personal deals, and I pay for the device with my own funds. None of this will be of any expense to our forest. I shall report back with my results.
For the glory of our Queen and forest. Elarion Hanolen.
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"It seems someone left a message for you."
The evoker looked over to the approaching elf. He had spent the last days paying close attention to the sunlight generator, and the plants he brought in. Observing just how long they will last will be essential for their future, and so he does not go out as much as he normally would. "What did it say?" "It was cryptic, but it referred a magi. Not sure who else it can be." He nodded and stood up, casting a quick glance to the elf's empty hands. "Very well. Where is it?" "Over by the dead boulder, by the old bridge."
When Elarion found it, it was cryptic indeed. "We met at the lake. Demon's greeting. Crime eyes beheld a magi garbed. I would like to finally meet." He stared at the message for a good while, pondering what that was supposed to mean. Cryptic indeed, but he wanted to see what this was. There were not many lakes around, and even less that he has met there. It gave him a good idea of who it was. A woman he had met some time ago, but never really got an impression of. He did take note of her being one he could likely work something out with sometime, and now it seems she has a foothold on the island and would like to meet him. He left a parchment with where he would wait for her.
The woman was direct and straight to the point. She opened by stating she had a few questions about the woods and their goals, and their last meetings left an impression. He told her he always welcomes those who are beneficial, and asked her if there was anything in particular she had in mind, of if she was merely making connections. She was quick to state she would dislike to only make connection without substantial reward for all parties, and went on to ask about the woods, about their relation to flame and undeath. Elarion told her of the great pyre, and how the still burning flames are an insult to them, while undeath is seen as a means to serve on in death. This seemed to interest her, and she told him it sounds like their interests align in that sense, and went on to ask him what he feels about Karistad's resurrection.
He was honest, and told her he sees it as something of little importance, and he has little reason to care. When he aided the Iron City, it happened by chance, as he just happened to have an errand there when the Iron City prepared themselves. When she asked if he had any allegiance to the city, he told her he had felt insulted when the councilor stated they take care of their allies, but where were they when his woods stood against Greenvale? Why would they not take this golden opportunity to strike at a common enemy? Why would they not come when aid was requested? Empty words, he said. He dislikes empty words.
When she offered him a reason to why he should be interested in Karistad, she told him they had an undead legion already rising to power and threatening their expansion and power. Elarion told her that is of little interest to him beyond idle curiosity, and asked if there was anything more to it. She told him she would like assistance in assisting their rise to power, and that she would like to assist his woods. That trough mutual aid, their research might benefit the other party. He told her it is an interesting proposition, but he represents their home, and he can ill afford getting on the Iron City's bad side. It would bring trouble to his home. Still, he was curious as to what she would say. He told her their current goal is to bring back their queen, and asked how she thinks it might be to their benefit.
The two went further off the path, to talk with more privacy.
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She told him the kingdom of Karistad is very old, at least a thousand years. This was not new to Elarion. He had seen the former village mentioned in texts, dating all the way back to Greenwood. What did catch his attention was when she spoke of how they move about in the current day as if nothing has changed. She told him of her plans to search for lost knowledge in the realm of blood magic, and Elarion asked her to expand on what she meant by them appearing as though nothing has changed. She told him how they were shades when they first met. Nothing more than ghosts of their former selves. Little more than mindless beings. She told him of a talking skull of madness, which somehow had become a fully formed person. What she described sounded like vampirism, a subject Elarion knows little of.
She went on to tell him she had seen what the kingdom looked like in its prime, either trough illusion or a temporal flux. That there might be possible for his woods to have substantial gain from this kind of magic. That their mastery of undeath might prove to be a powerful boon for his own ranks, and continued service, as he put it. There was no denying the potential this. He knew Karistad's power came from betraying a devil, and that was not something he wanted to do. The consequences would simply be too great. On the other hand, if there could be a way for them to copy the vampires blood magic. Find a way to work the poison in their own undead the way blood brought back these seeming vampires.. Could it perhaps bring their army back to its former glory. The potential here is just far too great to pass up. He will need to know more. Karistad's magic needs to be studied. He... His forest.. needs this. But for that, he needs to get on Karistad's good side.
He asked what her plans were, and she went on to tell them there are a number of valuable pieces upon the board. That she would like to make contact with the man they saw that day, referring to the day they aided the Iron City. However, she does not hold the power she has seen Elarion command. She told him knowing why and how they wish to move forward is the most important element. After this is secured, things will become less grey and deals can be worked to benefit their individual goals. He told her she knows more than him, and asked what she feels should be the first move.
A summoning of sorts within the borders of Karistad. She wants to get the man's attention, and move forward from there. She said it would be helpful to bring bodyguards, and Elarion told her he can bring forth planar help, and offered her the means to do the same. She said such would be valuable, and told him she will make preparations to have a few paid allies as well. After asking who he would refuse to work with, she told him she would be in touch in the same way she had before, but before leaving, she asked him if he had any questions.
There always are, and he asked her what she meant when she said she had seen Karistad in it's prime. She went on to tell him about an old man. A storyteller who took her there, either trough illusion, or powerful magic. This was absolutely of interest to Elarion, and aligned well with some of his personal goals. He asked her if they could find the old man, would he confirm if it was illusion or reality? She thinks he might, and told him the old man is a talkative sort. Even if he can't answer Elarion's questions, there are likely others among them who can. This could prove invaluable to him.
He told her there are many uncertainties, but the potential is too great to pass up, and asked her how she wishes to be compensated. Knowledge of blood magic if all goes to plan, and she asked him to be sure to credit her, should their results aid his woods. He certainly will, but he felt the potential is worth more than se asks, and offered her to make her gems and wands, should she ever need them. A small cost compared to what he hopes can be gained.
The two said their farewells and went on their ways.
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The gamble had turned out to be more challenging than expected.
It started easy enough with the woman recruiting aid, with them all setting out to the old lands of what was once Karistad. They set up camp near an old tower, and the witch got to work on her blood magic. It took quite some time, and quite a bit of blood, but she managed in the end, and Elarion took it from there. As her magic caught the attention of those once of Karistad, he put his focus to getting the attention of the mage. He too, cut his palm and placed it on the walls of the fallen tower, to draw the ancient mage's attention.
Sure enough, vampires appeared and quickly cut down their hired help, with the mage appearing soon after. He look right at the concealed Elarion and demanded to know who he was. Elarion held nothing back and stated his intention and goal right away. That he will aid them, should they have anything he can use to restore his home to its former glory. The negotiations were tense, but Elarion remained well on his feet, with his eyes right at the foreign mage. After the one known as Vartin spoke with the witch, to limited success on her end, he told them he would entertain them and listen.
Elarion conjured up the poison stored in his helmet and surrounded them. His arcane magic conjured up an illusion all around them. He showed them all the state of his home. He told him there is not much to say, that this is what he fought for. He went on to show them visions of what Elarion did during the war, sparing no detail in his actions as he told Vartin "Let me show you what I will do to restore our glory." It caught the mage's attention. "Such savagery. Such things can indeed be of use." he said. When he asked Elarion how he expects them to be of use to his decaying people, Elarion gave him examples of how they have used the Poison to create their own versions of various forms of undead, and Karistad's means fused with his own could provide great potential, and used the mage's guards as an example. He told him if there is a way for Ashwood's eternal army to stand as strong as them, he shall be at their disposal. He swore it on their queen.
Vartin made a promise of his own. Perhaps to provoke, perhaps to test him... or perhaps it was pure arrogance. It would not be the first time Elarion has seen it in a supposed ally. He told him if he can get their queen to kneel before a count Farius, they might see to an entertaining prospect. They both likely knew that would happen, and so Elarion said the diplomatic thing, and told him it would be impossible due to their queen currently being one with the poison, and is unlikely to return anytime soon. He told him he could not speak for her, but that he is in authority to act in their best interest, and suggested perhaps Karistad would like some time to consider his involvement.
As Elarion spoke, a few around him kneeled. Not him, though. He will only kneel for royalty. As the mage asked if they all would serve to help them, and another went to his knees, the mage said "Then kill her and prove to me your alliance is worth my efforts." and pointed his sword at the blackness behind him.
This is where matters went from decent to extremely bad. The figure on the other side were none but matron D'Mora. One he could definitely NOT afford to be on the wrong side of.. Still, he had no choice at the moment. Kallista D'Mora had to die. He had to sacrifice a working relationship there, and potentially being able to walk the city of Mora'chel undisturbed.. but he did it for his home.
....they failed. Kallista managed to escape... or rather, she took her leave. She could likely have killed them all, had she wanted to. This concluded business, and Elarion was given the task of bringing down the drow mage. He could feel his heart sink at this. She was far more powerful than him. Far more durable. Far trickier.. He was up against a drow mage who has been the prime enemy of every good force on the island. One in good standing with the Iron City at that. It would only be a matter of time before they would know, and Elarion would need to watch for Melphaecto like he watched for Renneleth during the Poisonwar.
It would only be a matter of time before it would draw ill needed attention to his own home too, and so when he came home, he made sure the sunlight generator was fine, and left a note with instructions on how to use it, along with the location of the location of supplied food. He removed his robe, and equipment aligned with the forest, and left a simple note with his gear before he left.
I have failed you.
He made sure at least one of the hands saw him as he took his leave. He simply could not risk his gamble sending the wrath of the Iron City or Kallista and her other allies their way. He will need to act fast against the drow, and pray she will not have time to alert anyone of his involvement. Until he is successful, he cannot return home.
His last move was leaving a single dead and drained pixie by a cave in the northern reaches of their forest.
Registered Member #24916
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Self isolation in a place without magic.. How long has it been? Weeks? Months? All because Kallista happened to be sneaking around and overheard him. She has surely informed the Iron City of his alliance with this Karistad enemy, and the Inquisition is definitely keeping an eye out. But the longer he spent in isolation, he thought... Is that really such a bad thing?
Too long have they talked about luring the traitors under Sylvox back into the forest, to drain them of life and add their remains to the army.. But what if they don't need to wait for the traitors? Why doesn't he set out to provoke enemy forces into attacking the woods? The blood magic he learned in the war can be done by most of the Firn'lith, and with great numbers, horrible death magic can be unleashed. They need not worry about their own getting caught in the crossfire either. They already have an army that will keep rising! It is not like they have much left to loose, and they are unlikely to make any friends as it is. Why not embrace this and treat them all as lambs to be slaughtered?
He went back south, right in and to Queen Syfana's quarters. He stood before the Estarvalin and presented his idea. He did not have much to say, but the High Priestess Vryx soon entered and took his place. Her message was simple. Bring them actions, not words. Actions, she will have. He informed her of the agreement he had made with the Shadowrunners before he went back to his agricultural experiments.
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If the forest is to stand a chance against any invaders without loosing what precious few living elves they have, they will need to think about alternatives. They have an army of the dead, and while they are certainly dangerous, they are not perfect. Any enemy will learn how to combat them.
He started to think about watchdogs. Animals that could be under the full sway of the Poison and the Firn'lith.. Birds, perhaps... but they are too small and would likely pop if he were to replace their blood with concentrated Poison.. Wyverns perhaps.. Yes, they would certainly do it. Add that to the list of experiments. First, there is a prime test subject right outside their very borders.
Since he already was out on an errand anyway, Elarion decided to take the back road trough the Hammersong pass home. He walked and blasted all giants in his path, until there were none left. He walked back to the last one he killed and made sure his wards were in place before he called forth a towering demon. He promised it amusement in exchange for the simple chore of carrying the giant for him, and amusement there will be. Perhaps not from the giant, but surely one of his test subjects to be will yield results, and the amusement will be had from future invaders reactions.
First he needs to prepare properly. He went to the room he used back in the war, the innermost cell of the barracks. The very place he prepared Elisara's dead to redeem themselves on the battlefield. It would now serve as his lab, so he brought a cauldron from storage and brought in barrels to be used as containers. It was not ideal, but a waterproof set would have to do until he could get proper alchemy equipment. Several trips were taken to gather water, and once he had lit the cauldron's fire, he went on to the body he had his demonic summon bring to the cell.
It was large, with a lot of blood, and would need a lot of Poison, if he were to have any chance in animating it. The blood, he can surely use for other means, so it was tapped into separate barrels. The organs? One never knows. He would have to remove anything that would no longer be of use to a Poison zombie. Most of its digestive system was removed, and blood vessels connected to them burned shut. Lunges? Put in a barrel and sealed like the rest. The end result was surely something that would bring nightmares to lesser minds, and so Elarion patched it up and waited for the Poison to be filtered into a more usable ooze. He remembered what the queen had told him, about her own mix's success rate only being one in three, so he would need it as pure as he could get it, and be ready for failure with his creations.
As he waited, he looked to the barrels of blood he had gathered from the giant, and thought back to the blood magic he learned during the war. Back then, their creations had mixed results. The first where they were all equally determined were a success, but the second, his sisters had doubt. It was a failure. With just him here, and with his sheer will and determination, surely he would have more success? He still needs to experiment with growing flora for their forest, for if he can secure a stable food source, more of his kin will live to see their queen return.
But will blood magic really be what brings them a new food source?
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One has to just love when everything falls into ones lap.
This was the case when the evoker was wandering the island, doing something as simple as looking for the best price he could get for some spoils. He had considered getting involved with the upcoming conflict between the Iron City and Hamley. Not just because how provoked he was when one of their senators had the guts to claim they always look after their allies. Hrmph. Where were they in the Poisonwar? Despicable. Even worse, they now dared threaten the lands Sae happens to live in. That alone will gain them his wrath.
There is opportunity in this, though. If he could hold his wrath against the Iron City as a bargaining chip with the Empyrean, he could perhaps ensure there would be no holy men marching trough his home. He knows how destructive they can be, and even worse, many of them can protect themselves for his forests greatest strengths. They are really not enemies they can afford to have, and now with the order gone, there might be hope for a non-aggression pact.
What luck he happened upon two holy men on his way to the Drakamyre! A crusader and a knight by the looks of it, were fighting off the giant spiders attacking the settlement. At first he was unsure if he wanted to get involved, but one can't say no when a golden chance presented itself. No pun intended.
When the knight went down and the crusader on horse gave chase to the giant spider, Elarion walked up and used one of his old scrolls. The knight was understandably disoriented, but grateful for the help. Elarion told him he would like a word once the spider is dealt with, and the crusader soon joined them. More spiders appeared, but they were quickly disposed off with the holy men's swords, and Elarions magic. The three shared greetings, and Elarion warned the knight to not call him friend due to them technically being enemies. The crusader stated there is no time for such foolishness at the moment and welcomed him into the forest with them.
As they walked and disposed of spiders, Elarion thanked them for not getting involved with the Poisonwar and told them he would like to make them an offer in the interest of non-aggression. They had barely gotten to talking before large patches of darkness were seen ahead in the woods. The source was revealed soon enough. Kallista D'Mora. How wonderfully fitting. Not only does he have a chance of taking her down like he was tasked to, he had two holy men that would surely do some real damage to her.. However, matters would not be that easy. While he could counter most of her magic, she has one spell far more powerful than any of Elarions. The mythical Hellball. The one spell that no matter how hard he has tried, he has not been able to imitate. The battle was frustrating with Kallista having the clear home advantage. She knew where the pits were, and with darkness covering the area, it was not easy for the tree to move efficiently.
It is unclear who retreated first, but both parties seemed to leave the place. The three as they could not win against her, Kallista likely because Elarion could make her waste all her useful spells, leaving only the shadows as her tool. Regardless, capturing her would have to wait for another day. It would be hard to do what he wanted with the holy men there anyway, so he did the next best thing. He blasted her horse just because he could.
As the three left the forest, they stopped by the clearing where they could talk freely without upsetting the patrols. They finally got to make their introduction and Elarion made his offer to aid them against the Iron City. In return, he asked that all under their banner would stay out of his forest, and in return, they will do the same. After the Crusader, Sir Sollis, stated they have no interest there, Elarion gave them three offers. To supply them with spell gems, to join them and rain destruction on their enemy, or to spirit away Iron City soldiers.
While they did acknowledge his capabilities, Sir Solis noted the enemy is immune to fire, leaving most of Elarion's magic useless. Sir Sollis said he would consider, and the three shared contact information before each went on their way.
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Another day, another walk, another idea.
This one came while he walked past a dead wolf on the ground. Something so so simple. Something everyone would walk by without a single thought, yet here he was, thinking about it. It was just so inconspicuous, no one would look twice, and that is... perfect. Why did he not think about it before? A wolf or fox on the forest floor, a bird or owl in the trees. Who would suspect anything? They are the perfect eyes and ears, and they can be placed anywhere!
He gathered the dead animal in his bag and went on north for his errand. His mind occupied with the potential in his next plan.. but how would he gather enough to even experiment? The answer came when he was near The Watch and he was looking north-east, to where he knows a riftstone is located. It was far away and easy to access, and four samples were easily obtained.
On the way back he encountered a well dressed man who could turn out to be rather valuable. A Seth Galanderos; a shadow adept with great knowledge of many matters Elarion will need at some point. They got to talking and together, they planned a journey to the Celestial Outpost where shards he will soon need is supposedly held.
After parting ways, he went on south and walked trough the side paths around the main crossroads area, and found a nice little patch of forest. He laid out the four riftstones around it and stepped back to what he considered a safe range. He began casting and focused their energies together, to target the field inside the little rectangle they made up. Soon enough, there was a quick flash of negative energy, enough to send his hair and cloak bucking back, but nothing too painful. What mattered to him were the sounds that followed. One by one, little rustling sounds hit the forest floor as every single animal hiding in and between these trees died in an instant.
He filled a sack with all the little birds and critters he could take and made himself invisible as he passed the trade route. At some point, he will likely cause a massacre there, but there is no need to do it just yet. Their defenses are just not ready.
Once home in his forest, he poured all the dead animals in a cauldron of filtered poison and let them boil at low heat. The stench of their filtered waters boiling while filled with wolves, birds and critters were far from pleasant, but he needed the poison to enter them completely. It was not like the ritual his Queen had shown him before where one was reborn in the poison, Elarion simply needed them to remain dead with the poison being a complete part of it. What he needed was not reanimation, but for the poison to work like an agent. The means to control what is still dead.
The animal experiment was a resounding success, however, it seems I got careless in my harvesting as some invaders to our woods seemed to know of it. I do not consider this to be a problem. More on that below.
We have spread the animals out across our borders, and with them all containing the Poison, to be used as an agent, we are able to swap between which we want to look out from, or control with relative ease. During one of these tests, we saw a trio of outsiders entering our woods. One who seemed to be of the Brotherhood of the woods, a faction I believe to be based in central Thain. One elven ranger, one seeming half elf who seemed a little too well dressed to be wandering trough dangerous places. One of them brought a dire wolf, but it is unclear who it belonged to.
We first caught glimpse of them near the field where the great battle took place where they moved carefully trough the forest. They seemed to prefer stealth, and it was by pure chance they stopped to look at some of the animals. Had they not done such, they could likely have gotten far further. They seemed unknowing of just what we did with the animals, but that was exposed when someone controlled a snake to attack them. We lost control of it rather quickly, so I can assume they disposed of it. Our next visual was in a cave in the south-east corner where our wolf spotted them. We dispatched the juggernaut at this point, however, they seemed to flee before it could catch up with them. Some sisters confirm they saw the four running back the way they came, and we saw nothing of them since.
Once they learned we can control the animals, they seemed to have found a most fitting paranoia I consider to serve us well. No dead animal would be seen without worry of it serving a purpose, which can only serve us well. The more distractions, the better. We should let them fear the juggernaut as well and let them speculate themselves to what it is. A large abomination wandering the forest should bring fear to the reckless, and the more running from it, the better. It takes five of us to control the damn thing.
All in all, I consider the experiment to be a great success. One that will ease the work of our patrols, allowing them to take a second line of defense.
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Despite the success the animals were, the gain was only minimal in the lessened strain it had on his people. They still hungered and their living kept joining the ranks of the walking dead. He was slowly losing hope himself. No matter what he tried, it all seemed to be a losing struggle, yet he kept going. All he could think of was Bak'non and Karistad. Two places from the early days of Greenwood, now havens for the dead. Ancient ruins beyond repair. The Poisoned woods can not end up like them. They can't.
Yet the three names kept echoing in his mind as he walked his home.. "Bak'non, Karistad, Greenwood.. Bak'non, Karistad, Greenwood.. Bak'non, Karistad, Greenwood.."
No... No! It cannot end like this! The poisoned woods, the forest of ash will not become like them! They can't!
Yet..
Even if his experiments with the sunlight generator will provide him with some chance at growing food for his people, he will be greatly limited in how much he can produce. A two digit number for sure, while those still alive are still in four digits. Even if they have success, it seems absolutely tiny.. And all it will take to undo his work is one adventuring party, or one group of zealots. One group of clueless outsiders enough to destroy what little hope they have. With all of his work, all of his experiments, it seems all he can do is delay the inevitable.. Yet he cannot give up. The Poisoned woods cannot become the next undead ruin!
* * *
Another day, another interesting subject.
This one came when he was walking to claim a bounty, something he often does when he needs to clear his head and maintain his strengths. He saw The White Rose, a songstress he greatly admired he voice of, and a human woman in robes. Both were giggling in a carefree manner like one would never see in his woods, teasing about kissing, and what follows. He has initially stopped when he heard them bring forth a familiar name, but the conversation turned into something he cared little for... then they caught his attention again as he pondered their words. It made him reflect on his home, and how he would never see anything of the sort there. Not under Syann, and certainly not under Syfana.. Yet, if there is a time the elves of the true Greenwood need each other, it is now. If there is a time for comradery, it is now.. Yet, the actions these women spoke of.. This intimacy.. It all seemed so strange. He just had to know.
He revealed himself to them, and they were naturally weary of him and his intentions. As The White Rose said, she has heard of him and his actions, but he assured them they had nothing to fear from him, and they started talking, with the human being mostly silent. They spoke of love and affection. How one would show it, and how he had never seen any in his woods beyond Syfana welcoming a new Hand into service. The only sign of affection he could recall was when Arakhor brushed his arm. He did like that, but one would never show it in the woods.
It would be nice if it would ever happen, but the way things are now, his people are more than a little busy just getting trough the day. Matters like affection would be meaningless. They would still live in misery. They would still die, and they would still join the Firn'mul..
But still, to hold one like she said.. No.. He knew this.. He had done it. He had held his sisters. He had embraced them after they were separated. He had held Sae to his chest and stroked her tiny back. He does know this feeling.. but with the future looking so bleak, will he ever get to enjoy it again..?
[ The Island of Thain ]
Onta-Crona