As dusk turned into night, and the stars flickered into visibility one by one, the crowds in Cuirlen's town square gradually congealed around the seven Elders, then began to thin out. By High Dark, only a handful were left. The crowd around Eriboea and Anakletos was by far the largest, although the group clamoring for Kallistrate's attention was also sizeable. Only a bare handful approached Pantheras.
Eriboea's and Anakletos' List said:
Naturally, Cleyra approaches her mentor's line, offering to help Eriboea rebuild. "However," she insists, "I also intend to lend my hand to the hunting parties whenever my duties will allow."
It takes some time for the crowd to disperse enough for you to speak to Eriboea. When you do, she smiles wearily at you.
"I had no doubt, Cleyra. Still..." she pauses and turns to look at the small group speaking to Pantheras.
"I think others might be able to use your talents more. You are a natural leader - although you need to work on your patience with others - and you're one of the most organized people I know. They..." and she looks again at the group around Panthereas; you note the five young people you were talking to before the earth-quake, as well as a huntress you're not familiar with and a pair of middle-aged men who look like herders.
"... I would not say that any of those heading out into the wilderness are organized. Unfortunately, they are the ones who most need to have someone to keep things together." She turns back to face you fully and looks you straight in the eye.
"I would consider it a personal favor if you would accompany the exploration party and do your best to help them survive. We can ill afford to lose so many promising young ones, and their mission could be absolutely vital. I will not lie to you: the Elders are not expecting anyone who goes on that mission to survive. I cannot force you to accept this task, and I will not look down on you if you, who have so many people relying on you, were to refuse. Know that if you do accept, I will personally look after your farm; do not fear that you will return to ruin there. So, what say you? Will you accept my request?" She gazes at you levelly.[sblock=OOC]Assuming you do accept, you move on and are party to this next speech as well.[/sblock]
Panthera's List said:
Thane shows up next to Pantheras, and speaks quietly. "You would be hard-pressed to find a hunter who has ranged farther or for longer than I, with my father gone. I will aid this exploration, and help discover what has troubled the spirits."
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Ryon walks over to Pantheras. "Put me on that list as well, Pantheras. I know the land as well as any here, better than most. I know the forest as well as its denizens. How to fight them, and more importantly, how to avoid them. Kallistrate saw to that."
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Like an arrow shot, Erin appears at Pantheras.
"I'll go explore too," she says.
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Trying to muster all the confidence she can, she walks over to the exploration line and says to Pantheras, "If it's alright, I'd like to be considered for the explorers group. If I'm allowed."
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Enko turns to look at Erin when she calls his name. He lifts his hand to his forehead and shakes it in exasperation. As he stands, silently beside the almost manic Erin, he once again scans the crowd for Artimisia.
[sblock=Enko]You don't have to look far to see Artemisia. She's one of the eight people gathered in front of Pantheras.[/sblock]
Pantheras nods to each of you as you make your offers. In addition to the five friends, there are three others gathered in front of Pantheras: Artemisia, the beautiful young huntress; Metrophanes, a middle-aged cattle herder; and Andronikos, a horse herder with his arm in a split on his side. Still, Pantheras says nothing and appears to be waiting, only half paying attention to those around him, for nearly a half hour. Eventually, another young woman approaches, who you recognize from just before the earth-quake. He gives her a grateful, if exhausted, smile, then turns to face everyone.
"I am surprised and pleased that even this many of you have volunteered. I had to argue hard and long to get the others to accept the importance of this mission; they felt that the risks were too high and the likelyhood of any group of size forming to accept the mission too low." He pauses here and closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.
When he opens them again, he sweeps his gaze across each of you, meeting your eyes.
"I will be honest with you. We do not expect anyone who leaves on this mission to return to us. The world is a dangerous place for strangers, and the spirits are unsettled and uneasy by the explosion on the mountain. Enko, you know of what I speak. I cannot gaurantee that any of you will survive this task, and I cannot gaurantee that, even if you do, you will learn anything of value to us. No one will hold it against you if you turn back now and pledge yourself to another task." Here he waits, again meeting your eyes with his own.
Artemisia stands firm, tossing her hair back over her shoulder in defiance. The two herders, however, look nervous, and talk briefly between themselves. After their brief discussion, they look sheepish and duck their heads as they shuffle off to join one of the other lists. Pantheras watches without expression.[sblock=OOC]Again, I'm assuming none of you back down. You still can, if you so desire; just let me know.[/sblock]
"That was for their benefit, anyway. I had not expected the rest of you to back down. You will all need to be totally commited to this task to succeed, if success is indeed possible. Now that I know you are, I will accept your pledges. The seven of you are our hope for the future. Go now to your friends and family and be with them for one last night. Gather your things and meet me at the Council chambers tomorrow at Highsun. I will have some last words for you, as well as some information and what supplies and gifts we can spare." So saying, he smiles again at each of you, then turns and departs to commune with the spirits.
