Registered Member #25299
Joined: 3:54:32 am GMT 06/03/19
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His eyes scanned the letter that was handed over, moments ago, with a furrowed brow. Not too long ago, the war raged wildly, elves killing each other in some of the sickest ways imaginable. Who had the darkest thought? Who had the greater motivations? Who could prove superior? It did not take long to realize, the ones leading the war, at least on the poisoned side, were twisted and corrupted creatures, not elves at all. No, the elves had followed the orders of those in command. There was a twisted irony in the thought. But there was one he had grown a respect for. The sorcerer of great power, he had grown to calling him Volcano. And again, he was called upon for aid. Lucan’s arms crossed as he gazed out the steamy windows of his establishment, overlooking the Iron City, as the tiefling waited for a response. Until he finally did. His broad shoulders came down with his thick arms at his side, and he strolled towards the tiefling, spung her around, and offered a quick smack to her rump to hurry her along with a letter to be given.
Volcano,
Thou hath my aid, though, it shalt be said; thou will oweth the Iron City by the request of our choosing, if I come to protect thee. I, Sir Steelmane, Hellknight of the Iron City – shalt aid thee upon blood on this letter in return to seal the pact and favor of our choosing.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
All have replied, and all will come. Good. He will have a team to explore the shadow plane. Hopefully, it will pay off, and he will have something to work with. If it goes well, it will also speak well for Ilyrana.
But the song... now that might be a real issue. He had spoken more at length with Morton, and his circle have agreed to look into it. Elarion brought a trio to a remote corner of Ashwood where they could feel for it. It did not bode well when one who was already a spirit could not hear the song, but at least they learned something. The necrotic energies residing in the forest was also in the trees. Unfortunately, that left them with more questions than answers.
He told them of the sacred trees, where mortals could feel the song, and connect with it. Trees that were destroyed and burned down. The question became: "Is the song silent because there are no trees left worthy of singing it? Or is it silent because something is stopping it from being sung?"
It is not hard to imagine the first, considering the state of the forest. If it is the case, they will need to bring in druids, and what is the likelihood of that happening?
If it is the second, and the necrotic energies keep the trees from prospering, they have a circle of problems on their hands. They need that magic to remain alive in the still-burning forest coated in ash, but that magic is what keeps the forest from recovering.. They also need it for their army. Without it, they are easy targets. As much as they hate to admit it, the eternal army grows larger every day, and the still mortal elves gradually fade. Without it, they are nothing.
If -someone- is keeping it from happening, there is really only one who could hold the power to do so. Their queen.. but why would she? To hold back the recovery of her forest would be like holding back the poison in which she was reborn! She have always been one to not inform others of her plans, and always one to blow expectations, so Elarion's faith in her remains strong. Filled with worry, but still strong.
It was agreed there was little that could be done until they know more, though one interesting idea did come up. One that Elarion has thought on a lot. Restarting the song. A new song. Something to bring up with the high priestess for sure. He thanked the trio, and let them be on their way.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
It was time for information again, this time trough someone he had met in one of his journeys north. A shadowdancer by the name Elissril. After their journey together, she had given him a means to contact her, and it did not take that long for Elarion to have need of her knowledge. He left a belladonna berry with the bounty hut, and returned to his forest. He kept close eye on the portals available to the natives, and when it became clear she would not be coming from the south, Elarion stepped out trough the eastern portal, and began taking care of the elementals in that part of the woods. Sure enough, she arrived while he was dealing with them, and helped him take care of the rest. Greetings were shared, and they went to a nearby cave to talk.
The meeting was most informative. The woman had a lot of insight into the plane of shadows, and gave Elarion a lot to think about. There will be much to investigate as well, with the most important being the chance of "Dead Lands," patches of land with lingering negative energy. If they are to encounter such, he will need to supply his companions with gems to protect them. Not really a problem, but there is also a high possibility of the entities known as "Creeping Darkness." There is just little he can do about them. There was some more information he is sure to need later too, but for now, he stuck to what will be relevant to his upcoming mission.
As the two kept talking, history of the elven south came up, and a most interesting idea came up. If [spoiler] is made of [spoiler], then could there be there were elves who did the same? If so, which section would they be? Greenwood or Elisara? He had planned to go to both anyway, but there is a chance of finding such in the shadows of Elisara, then he might just change that part of the plan completely. It will be a thing for the elves. The true elves. Chances are slim, but if there is a chance to find remnants of the true Greenwood, he will bring none but his sisters.
After thanking the woman for the intel, and paying her for it, he took the journey trough his burned home, and ventured south trough the burned woods. Once he passed the southern border, and the singing of birds, and the color green returned, he started looking for those he would often turn to before the burning of his home. The pixies.
It did not take long for him to run into one, and when one saw him, the little thing gasped and shouted "Evoker." Pixies are easy to dismiss by northerners, but to those of the Poisonwoods, they are creatures to be respected. There are just no better messengers. Things are different now, though. The pixies had left for greener woods, and they are no fools. They know the political state of things. They knew it was no good sign when one coated in ashes came to their border. They knew well who Elarion was as well. Who wouldn't? He made quite the show during the war, so the pixie was terrified when Elarion grabbed her and covered her mouth.
"Quiet, little one.." He told her. "I need you to deliver a message for me. Tell Arakhor and Amywiel their brother needs to see them. That is all." The little fey looked back on him in confusion as he let her go. She knew well who he spoke of, but why would their enemy want to see them? She fluttered her wings, and flew on south right away, pondering warning the guard, but she knew they would question her, and that would bring unwanted attention to Amywiel and Arakhor. If she just went on her way and hid, the Evoker, one of the greater force of destruction during the war would be furious with her. She couldn't have that either, so the little thing flew into the Taureglond hollows in search of the tell fey and the green haired ranger.
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Amywiel was quenching her thirst with the delicious and addictive poisoned waters when she spotted the embarrassed fey.
What's wrong? It looks like you just saw a ghost pixie!
It's.. It's Elarion. He's looking for you, and for Arakhor! But what is happening here? Why the enemy comes to our woods? Why are they looking for you?
Amywiel puts a finger on her lips.
Sssh... Do not worry, it's okay, dear pixie. If Elarion wants to meet us, then we shall. Look for Arakhor. She must be somewhere, but she is rather reclusive lately, so you will have to search for her. Don't make yourself seen by anyone else.
But.. what is happening here? Should I be worried, Amywiel?
You should not. I don't know what Elarion wants, but I'm sure it's for a better future for all of us. Now go fly and find my dear dryad sister.
After speaking, Amywiel gets up again, packs her stuff and hits the road.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Talking with Arakhor had not turned out the way he had hoped. He wanted to present his idea of searching the shadowed version of Greenvale, but the conversation quickly went to Poisonwood matters. To the condition of the woods, and to their visions. To what they both fight for. Both had their arguments, and both made solid points, yet Elarion would not budge. He will remain loyal to Syfana unless they have solid evidence against her.
When the subject did change for what Elarion wanted to see her about, she was quick to shut it down. Told him those who went to the shadow plane are all lost. They became shadows themselves, slowly but surely. Lost their memories, their faces. Became less than echoes. None remain. That the [spoiler] might be eating them. He asked if it can reach the south as well, but she did not know. She asked if it was his wish to free forest kin stuck there, and he told her yes. She asked him if he thought they would follow Syfana, and what if they wish to be free. He told her to let them. They would know the true Greenwood. They know the true history. He wishes to see what they have to say of the current situation of the south, and where they would choose to live.
She told him he knows Syfana will not let them choose. That she would have them hunted down and brought to her so they could be drained as well. She asked what he will do if she finds out, and told him he would be without a home. That she may even do things to him.. Elarion simply told her he doubts he will know. He told her she has not shown any sign of herself since the assault, and that at this point, it is hard to know if she is even an entity as they would know her anymore. That she may really have become one with the poison.
With the poison she tainted, maybe, but not theirs. Not the original poison, but her will lives on trough those that she usurped and those who submitted to her. They may not tolerate him doing this. They may harm him, kill them, or worse. He asked her what she would do if she was told Syann was truly a tyrant, worse than Syfana. She replied by asking if he thought it would surprise her if they did, or if it was true? She told him she had thought about it, but that it does not matter. The truth is the truth. They are still his heirs, and will use his legacy to bring about the dream. The dream that he never had and even Syfana rejected. She said she trusted her, fought her war, and did everything she could and more, but she defiled it all. Spat on it. On her. They do not matter. Not to them.
When he asked if she was interested in the unfiltered truth of their past, she told him of course she does, but it will not change how she feels, or the dream. She said he can still choose. He can be a thorn. The bark that protects them - in peace. He can choose life. She asked if he does not see where this path will take him. He does. All too well, and he told her that. He also said in Syfana's defense, Arakhor also betrayed her when the enemy burned their home. She replied that she could have protected them, that she could have fought to shield them, but she did not. Instead, she decided to drain them. That she could only see vengeance, power, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice. He told her she could not have shielded them. He said Sylvox knew of it, and he betrayed them. -He- could have stopped it, but let it happen. She disagreed. She said they gave Syfana the power to do it. They offered her the ancient flame, and she chose herself.
He went on to ask her about himself. Every single raised enemy she fought at the great field was his doing. That he brought the first Poison zombies, that he made the first Poisonwood Estecallons. She said he is Onta-crona. That he has trapped himself within that name, but he fights for more than Syfana ever will. They all did terrible things during the war, but they saw no other option. They tried to keep everything together, life and death. She told him to look at where it took them. To look where it took Elisara and Feywood. They did it. All of it. He said it did not take them far enough. They had three options. Victory, defeat, or nothing changing. They fought for recognition, and to hold Greenvale responsible for the past. They won by burning them.
She told him Sylvox believed in a fourth. Even when they tried and failed, he succeeded. He realized they could not have everything. That Syfana would choose herself, and he did not tell them because they tried to do the impossible. They will always remember what Greenvale did. The ancient yew, their old home. They will not let them forget it, and they now know they were wrong. It cost them too much... But kin, old kin, dark kin, forest-kin, false kin, are slow to accept and slower still to forget.
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It was a bit more of a back and forth on the subject of Syfana, with Elarion telling her he will not break his oath over uncertainties. She told him Syfana attacked them. Tortured and drained those of the forest that wished to be with Sylvox. She asked him if he called that an uncertainty. No. He calls that dealing with traitors, and told her if he had not cared for them as he does, he would be doing the same. She told him that is where he is different. He may think that he fights for vengeance, but only because it is the only thing he has ever known. The only thing he wants to care about. He does care about the future. About them. She told him she does not want to see Syfana take that away. Take him away.
He closed his eyes and sucked in a little breath. That is exactly it, it is all he has ever known. He is a destroyer. A torturer. A taker of life. He is the one who infects pain until the only peace is death. What role could he possibly have in this new world? Where would he go? She told him life is not without bark. they are not defenseless. They do not need Uultak or Syfana. They do not ignore their scars, but they do not drown in them either. They are more. They must grow. She brought up Poisonwood's supposed allies. Brought up how they used each other, and asked where they were when they fought to save their home. To save their people from their fire? She asked if these are the allies he wants. He told her they have no allies. There are none who value their words as they do. There are only a few exceptions, but where does that get them? All hope they had of dependable allies was shattered with the vision Greenvale spread of them.
"We have lost so much" she said. A haze covered her eyes as they teared up, and she dropped her sickle which evaporated into verdant mist the instant it hit the ground. She told him she doesn't want to lose anymore. Not now, not after they finally gained a spark. An ember of understanding. She said she doesn't want to lose him as well, as she drew closer and reached for his hand. He looked down at her and instead of taking it, he brought his arm around her. "Come home, Onta-crona. We can grow things. Fight for a better future. An actual future." As she wrapped her arm around him as well, he looked to the remains of the ancient burned yew. "I wish to see us rise again, Arakhor.. To have the true Greenwood become dominant again. Mine are without hope, and I know they will doubt me. I know I will need to work in the shadows... but I cannot give up, Arakhor.. This is still my home.. my people.."
"It will not be easy. It will be painful. But that is life, yes? Conflict and sorrow... Makes.. Makes the rest worth it, it does. We understand how you feel. We do. It is how we felt too, it is." He gave her a little smile and asked since when they have been strangers to pain. He is still Onta-crona. She said "Right up to the bitter end." She told him he can still grow, that he can be more.
The conversation then went back to Syfana with the bottom line being Elarion will remain loyal as Arakhor has very little evidence to her claims, and most matters have an explanation. He told her her words are merely speculation and they need proof, to which she replied they will never have it. Uultak and Syfana will only mislead them. When he brought up that Yu'syu would as well, she told him u'syu had called to her father in the battle against Syfana. This made Elarions eyes shoot wide in surprise. He certainly would never have expected this of the traitor queen. She told him that was her reaction to hearing it too, and told him the truth will always matter, but they are not their forebears. They are not Uultak, Syfana or Syann. Not even Kintaro. They helped shape their legacy, but it is theirs.
He nodded and told her it does raise a lot of questions.. truths he desires to know.. She told him maybe one day, and he closed his eyes and sucked in a long, deep breath. "Tell Sylvox I will speak with him. If he has any evidence that Syfana is indeed behind the actions you claim, I will hear it. If not, I will brush it aside as hearsay." "We cannot lie, as you know. All this, our heart tell us. But we will speak with him." "I know." He gave her a squeeze and told her it is why he will hear it.
It was soon time for them both to go, before any of his sees them. She can explain herself easily, but he might not be able to. She told him to be well, and not let the others eat him. He told her to be careful as well, and to take care of Amywiel. She tightened her hold on the sorcerer, even as some of the forests ashes marred her skin and wings, before they reluctantly parted ways.
As he walked, he sighed and took one last look back at her, seeing her watching him as he walked back to the core of the forest.
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Matters look increasingly bleak for their future. Is it truly the fate of the true Greenwood to rot under negative energy? Is there really no way for them to get trough it like they made it trough the poison?
His research had not shown any promise whatsoever. He had examined the bugbears, who are well known for using rift energy. They are weak and look increasingly more dead by the day. There will be nothing to learn there.
He had a look at the yuan-ti. They seemed to be doing well with the negative energy, but their biology might be far too different from elves to really matter. Perhaps There might be more information in the mage tower of Mora'chel? Perhaps they have information he might buy..
More days passed, and he was sitting in the Barracks' chapel when a man of the woods approached him. They shared woods, and spoke of the forest's future. While the man clearly had little care for the weak of the forest, they both agreed they need to get trough and enter the new age. He asked him if he had heard anything of the high priestess, and he seemed to have heard talk of her entering the northern woods. This worried Elarion. He knew first hand how dangerous the Tel'Mordere hunters are, and having their high priestess in such a place could not mean anything good.
As they finished their conversation, the man went to the nearby altar pool, to wash his visor with the poisoned waters. A common enough gesture in the forest, but it did give Elarion an idea. He went to the podium and took what he hoped would be one of the high priestess' belongings, and pulled at the weave. He used the waters to scry for her.
At first, the waters started to boil and bubble, then thorns choked in blackened ash began to writhe from the water, and surrounded the pool. Thinking this was a sign from either the high priestess, or Syfana herself, he focused on keeping the weave stable. A root then extended for the Firn'magol, and grabbed at his ankles. He cried for help, but Elarion kept going. He knew only the higher powers of the woods would be able to do this. He did not know what the brother's fate would be, but it would show itself soon enough. The man struggled as the wines surrounded more and more of him, and he pleaded with Elarion. The shift in his words were noticeable. Where the firn'magol had but minutes before, talked down at the commoners, and even Elarion for caring about the song, and called him weak. He was now remarking on how there were not many of them left. How they cannot lose more. Sad words, and even worse with the shift of attitude, but he was still a brother of the forest.
The evoker did not enjoy what he did. It was a shame indeed to lose a brother of the woods. As they had said so many times during the Poisonwar: "We never leave forest kin behind." Here he was, sacrificing one.... but it had to be done. Finding Vryx took priority, and so he let whatever was about to happen, happen.
The man was pulled into the pool, and a vision suddenly flashed. One of dragon skulls near a waterfall, with a river rushing beneath. A place he remember seeing in the northern woods, inside Tel'Mordere territory. Then, in a bright flash, the roots receded, and a magic assault filled the room, leaving the mage in a daze. The pool was still afterwards, with no trace of the warrior.
Registered Member #24916
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Posts: 610
With the chapel silent once more, Elarion took his staff and walked upstairs, trough the door on the left, and trough the north facing glow. It was but a moment, and he was in the northern reaches of the forest, near the domain of the Tel'Mordere. He made himself invisible quickly enough, and added a few wards. The few essentials he should always have even when he is not expecting a struggle.
The forest was as he would expect. Quiet, with vegepygmies and manticores along the southern valleys. He had only been there a few times, but he knew the area well enough to know where he was headed. He also knew he would need to remain hidden, and make as few sounds as he could. Just because he did not see the Tel'Mordere, it does not mean they are not there. He could not risk that, and so he moved silently past all life he encountered.
There was an eventual oddity as he reached the river. Along it, and near the bridge of the cannibal elves, there was a tree radiating necrotic energies. Dead Vegepygmies littered the ground around it, and so he stopped to have a look. He could not afford much delay, so it would have to be but a quick look. As he observed, he heard the unmistakable voice of his queen. "...soon..." At long last, there had been a sign of her... but why now? Why after all this time? He did not have much time to ponder, as the rustling of leaves caught his attention.
Wandering along the river were the Tel'Mordere. An elf accompanied by a satyr, wielding an axe as large as Elarion himself. He stood still, knowing the moment they found him was the moment he would likely die. They spoke in a language he did not understand, but recognized from his former fey companion. Sylvan. Strange an elf would speak that, and not make its companion speak the same, but this was no time to ponder. If his queen did indeed reach her influence to this tree, then the moment they approached it would be the moment for him to move. He did not know what would happen to the two, and he could not wait to find out. For some reason, they walked right past it. Perhaps they simply could not feel what he did, but it gave him his chance to move on.
It did not take long for him to reach the river bridge and he moved up past the skull ornaments he had seen in his scryings, and he passed into the domain of the cannibal elves. It was not long before he came across one who looked suspiciously like the huntmaster that had fought for Greenvale, and Elarion knew right away he was in trouble. The Tel'Mordere hunters are lethal. Incredibly so, and one had now sniffed him out. Even if he had not seen Elarion, the smell of ash and death followed him, so when the elf narrowed his eyes and ran north, Elarion knew he was knee deep in it.
There was so little he could have done. If he had summoned a demon to take him down, the struggle would have been heard. They were too close to the core of their domain. He could not even risk firing his magic, as the lights and smoke would definitely alert the others. No, he had to face it. His best hope would be to hope his magic would not fail him, and he would be able to slip trough before they could track him.
This proved to be worse than he dreaded, as the next pair to come walking knew what to look for. The elf let an arrow fly, and hit Elarion right in the shoulder, while telling him to halt. Behind her, another satyr with a weapon just as menacing. The two spoke in sylvan as Elarion ripped the arrow from his flesh, and let an artifact in his possession regenerate his wound. As they did, snow started falling. Strange, as it was not all that cold in the region, but it was the season for it. The satyr seemed ready to rush him, but then it said something and turned his hand. Something was clearly off about it, and so Elarion did the same. It was not snow, but ash.
Registered Member #24916
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Then something caught the pair's attention, and the hunter launched arrows while the satyr charged on. He did not know what it was, but he had to hurry. A chance like this will not come again, but before he could even cast his first spell, powerful magic slayed the cannibal elf. He did not know what it was, but it was awfully convenient.
The High Priestess Vryx appeared from the ash, with clear arrow holes in her armor. It was clear she was the one who had taken down the pair, and she quickly told him "This is Tel'Mordere land. Dangerous." He bowed before her and told her he knew, and that he came seeking her. She told him to come, as more would surely seek them, and the two moved back trough the forest. She told him she had felt his gaze, and he told her he had assumed she did. Either her, or their queen. This caught her attention, and she glanced to the rives, asking if he had heard her. He had. She told him few have, that she and him may be the one ones. As they moved trough the forest, he pointed out where he had heard their queen, and she told him it had been where she took life. It seems she has been feeding off life in their northern reaches. She told him she had heard her too, like a far off, distant echo. Not often, but there are apparently few who has since the war. He told her he had tried so many times, but this was the first he has ever heard her.
As they kept moving, she told him their queen's return may be further away than they thought. That she tells him this because she knows he is true. He added with a heavy heart that their future is then indeed bleak, to which she asked him if it is any different from what they had ever known. A good point, and he told her no. Things are the same. She said they still live, and they still fight, and that is what matters. As they kept moving, he told her that he still has hope, that one day, those of the true Grenwood will dominate the south. She went quiet at this, and the two leapt across the river.
Once they were somewhere they could talk, he commented on her bring there for a reason. One she could not share, and she asked if that is why he came there, to ask her where she has been and why? He told her he came because they need her. That few had seen her since the great pyre, and it was worrying. She said they need her. There was no doubt they did. Elarion had seen how his own were after the war. They lacked a true identity. They all seemed unsure what they wanted to be. Some stuck to Syann's old rule, while others discarded Syann as a tyrannical leader whose iron rule they are finally free from. They need their queen. They need her to guide them into the new age.
She told him she thought it would be simple. A matter of time, and some work, to have her return. He told her he has too, but his work has given him nothing, and at one point, he speculated she might even have truly become one with the poison. An entirely different form of entity altogether. When she asked if he has dismissed that theory, he told her hearing her voice earlier may have strengthened it. She said "We are true to her, Elarion. Do not forget that... for she does not forget that." It made him think back to his last conversation with Arakhor, and what they spoke of. Where Elarion had told his sister they need proof of her claims, and the way his own had treated hers was a people dealing with their traitors. He looked back to Vryx and told her "I know. She is the queen we chose to follow. We are the ones who remained. The ones who are loyal." She told him not all of them will live to see her return. Heavy words, loaded with implications. He looked back to the river and simply said "That bad, huh.."
She commented on one dying just for him to find her. That there are so few loyalists alive, but that death and suffering are now a part of their lives. He told her he would lie if he said he did not regret it. That he did not enjoy sacrificing a brother, but he had to do so for their future. She told him he did not need to explain himself to her, as it was she who demanded his life. While their numbers are low, and there is little to go around, it was necessary to move forward. He told her it is, but he wishes it was not the case. He told her he hoped they would be able to get trough it, and make it theirs, just like they had made the poison theirs. He brought up how he tries to study the negative energies, but for every step he takes forward, he is brought two steps back.
"The Poison.. The wood.." She started. "the more I envy it, the more I think it may be the way of the traitors.""Nature certainly is." He told her. "But there is one aspect I still worry for. The song." She did not have to ask. She knew it already. "You cannot hear it.""No one can. Our trees cannot hold it." He told her about how he even had outside help come down and examine their trees, and she told him the forest is dead. At least the true forest. When he asked if there is no chance of it regrowing, she told him it would be when Queen Syfana returns to them and restores them to their rightful place.
They went on to talk about how they would sustain themselves, and how they need the very thing that eats their soil to nurture their army. How it would not go unnoticed by outside forces if their army of the dead were to vanish. Elarion told her he sees few options but to find means to protect the living from negative energy. That would at least keep them from succumbing to negative energy, and joining the eternal army prematurely. She agreed to it, but also stated it would be risky. She also noted it could lead to their salvation, should his work prove successful.
After sharing his idea of searching the shadow plane for answers, the high priestess excused herself, and the two went on their way after sharing a way to find each other. She also asked him to not let anyone know he found her. She said they need not risk any scouting partied to fall victim to the Tel'Mordere, but Elarion pondered if this had really been why. Sylvox had also been distant in his time leading up to his betrayal, but Vryx was true to their queen. As he walked back to the core of their forest, he sat on a cliff and pondered their meeting.
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The first to cross his mind was the brother he had to sacrifice. His attitude toward commoners and the mentality of being "strong." How quickly his tone shifted when death came for him. This provoked Elarion. How many time had he stared death in the eyes during the Poisonwar? Far too many, and here one of his own turned into a begging coward the moment it came for him. He became like the commoners he seemed to despise. Then what of himself? Without his magic, he would be one of the commoners. Without his magic, all Elarion would have is his beauty, but such would get him nowhere in this time of troubles.
He thought of how the brother had called Syfana the true chosen of Syann. Firstly, Syfana succeeded where Syann failed. She is a true eternal ruler. Second, who was Syann really? None alive seems to truly know, and the few who do have a deeply biased opinion. Besides, how many of Syann's laws do the forest really follow anymore? He himself is living proof they ignore the law against arcane practice.
And commoners? They need them. Not all can fight, but they still need those who make them clothes. Those who farm. Those who keep their numbers. What would they do without them? Die as soldiers, and become part of the eternal army, and eventually have them all wither? No. They need their commoners. Besides, they are the true Greenwood. They will keep that legacy, and they need to take care of their own.
When he asked how many men they can spare, it was clear Elarion was by himself. That all others were needed to defend the homeland. It spoke grimly of the state of their home, that they need them all to defend themselves.. It brings him back to their numbers as a whole, and how they need their commoners to bring more life into this already difficult world.... But can the forest bring new life? The mortality rate of infants were already high with the Poison, but now they have negative energy to worry about as well. An infant would never survive in the current state of the woods.. But how would this be solved? Defenses would be needed. Wards in place for growing life.. but even this would need trial runs..
Trial runs he could not afford to run with his own. He would have to kidnap women from across the island. Place them in a warded area, and observe them.. The thought alone made him shudder. It is one thing to blast fools who remained in an open battlefield, but to actually kidnap and experiment on pregnant women? It would be cowardly beyond description, but what choices does he have?
He shook it off and thought to the High Priestess. Why was she in the north in the first place? She said she was feeding of the vegepygmies, but was that really the case? He had met her too deep in enemy territory. Could it be she was working something out with them? Or was she feeding off them? It would only be speculation. He knew she was true to Syfana, just as he was, but just like him, she seemed to do other matters she could not tell her own of.
He had noticed her reactions to certain things said. Could it be she dislikes the current state of their home so much, she cannot bear to return home? It would certainly be understandable, and their home is not a place one could show such emotion... But why not? Surely it comes from Syann's law, and a desire to be strong, but does being strong truly correlate to being emotionally distant? He knows that is not the case. It was only after he met his sisters that Elarion truly became strong. They had nurtured him and allowed him not just to grow as a mage, but a person as well. As they would so often say during the Poisonwar, "leave no forest kin behind."
Do they really need this? Having emotion does not mean they are weak. It means they have something to fight for. Just like when Arakhor was taken captive during the war, and Elarion charged to save her. He faced all odds when he did so, and he did it without hesitation. Now, those of the core of the forest need each other more than ever. Would it really be so bad to show some kinship? If anything, it would let their days be less filled with gloom. Could Vryx perhaps share his view on this?
Then when Syfana returns, what will she think? What will she say when she sees the sorry state of her home? Does she already know? Can she see it from the Poison? What would she think if she came back and saw her subjects now being able to embrace one another? Would she want the same? Would she despise it? One thing is for sure. Like with so many other matters, they need her to return to find out.
So who are they? Who are the true people of what was once the glorious Greenwood? They are so fractioned now they don't seem to know who they are anymore. Everything is based around survival, and to make matters worse, food is growing thin. That will only lead to desperation, and they will start turning their attention elsewhere, something they can ill afford.
If they turned to Taureglond, Elarion would have to find a way to keep his sisters safe while the separated people fight... Taureglond seems to have made a proper alliance with Greenvale, and they simply can not afford another war. If they set their sights east to the inn and Sandburrow, matters would become just as bad. They would draw too much attention, which they can not afford. That would lead them north, to feed on the little wildlife they can before the Tel'Mordere finds them... Could that be why Vryx was there? To work out a way for theirs to find food there?
Regardless of what it is, it will be up to Elarion to find a dependable food source for his people. One that would not get them in trouble. His thoughts went to the Iron City. Perhaps he would be able to open trade with them.... but what could they offer in turn? They are not even able to make sap anymore.. Perhaps Mora'Chel would be the better option? With them they can at least offer the Poison, for them to use as... well, poison.
There is the problem of his people even surviving long enough to see Syfana return. How would he even find means to protect this many? Even worse, how would he sustain these protections? It will be costly beyond comprehension. He will need to scrape for jobs with the allies he has, and put absolutely everything into making funds..
[ The Island of Thain ]
Onta-Crona
