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<blockquote data-quote="Lylandra" data-source="post: 7535511" data-attributes="member: 6816692"><p><strong>One night in Pallita</strong></p><p></p><p>The ghouls seem to understand that staying inside the city is both pointless and dangerous and so they scatter one by one. Meanwhile, we take some time to ritually cleanse the temple city and deliver the dead to the purifying flames of Srasama. Fortunately, the smoke alerts the rest of the eladrin squad that got lost when the curse affected them all. These guys can hardly remember what happened, but they are relieved to see that no harm befell their Matriarch and also quite happy to see Auryn return to them in their hour of need. </p><p></p><p>When we're about to finish our hallowing rituals, Carlyle gazes over the remains of what must have been a magnificent city in the past. He then sighs deeply and states that he maybe made a mistake when he didn't take all of the ghouls down when he had the chance. He explains that even if some of them are sentient, they and their hunger are still a threat to the eladrin people. </p><p></p><p>He then turns to Auryn and asks her to accompany her family on their way back to Pallita while he has some unfinished business he needs to take care of on his own. When she's surprised to hear that, he explains that something inside him is telling him to make sure the citizens of Pallita are safe and he also knows that she might need some time with her closest family to tell them about her new life. Auryn says that she understands, calls him a true guardian of her people and makes him promise he'll return to the enclave in two days. </p><p></p><p>On their way back to Pallita, Auryn tells her family all about her journey west and everything she's experienced during these last eight years. She doesn't go into much detail regarding Fordren though and explains that Zahir died a hero's death while trying to protect her from pirates. She adds that she owes Zahir's mother, Zafira, an explanation about what happened to her son. Auryn then goes on to talk about the magnificent and chaotic city of Flint and Galadin is thoroughly impressed when her daughter tells her about the number of people living in the metropolis. She also talks about Risur and the land's connection to the Fey and the Unseen Court which has made living in Risur much more familiar than she had originally thought. </p><p></p><p>She then turns the subject to Asrabey and Kasvarina and tells her family about their several meetings with the dreadnaught and also about the rescue of their ancestor who's suffering from amnesia. </p><p></p><p>“You actually got along with Asrabey? I always thought him to be too... impulsive for my taste.” Galadin notes while Estelar agrees with a heavy nod. </p><p></p><p>Auryn laughs at her mother's statement and agrees as well about Asrabey's impulsivity. She adds that the warrior has a good heart though and seems to like her. Regarding Kasvarina, Galadin doesn't know too much about her and she's also surprised that Auryn actually crossed paths with her. Auryn explains that knowing more about the Matriarch's past and motives might be of utmost importance to them as she might have a huge impact on the future of the world. She also realized that she doesn't know too much about her family's secrets (despite her name) which is why she might need to contact Kaealys, her grandmother. </p><p></p><p>Galadin explains that she cannot be of much help indeed as she never saw her in person. But her own mother told her about the ancient Matriarch who was gifted with a will as strong as steel and burning with fire. She managed to gather lots of disciples and followers because of her radiance, but she also had quite the reputation of being dangerous and fearsome. And Kasvarina somehow never found peace and wandered the world restlessly. </p><p></p><p>Two days later, the eladrin squad returns to Pallita where they are welcomed back with a big cheer from the other citizens. Carlyle arrives a bit later, seemingly unharmed and strained beyond his normal limits while still radiating with energy. When Auryn asks him about his strange state, he replies that he just feels completely happy and is filled with the thought that he finally did something right. Auryn smiles at him and thanks him for keeping his promise before sending him to the bathhouse as he's all covered in ghoul-gore. </p><p></p><p>After a long session in the steam bath, she makes sure that her Sahomi is given a proper room in her mother's house. We're then invited to a family dinner with Galadin and her three husbands. While feasting on eladrin delicacies, we discuss the current state of the outside world, especially as there is a giant colossus running free in the Dreaming. We talk about the possible threat Borne might pose on the enclaves that are so close to the Dreaming and also explain that Kasvarina was involved creating him. </p><p></p><p>Auryn then notes that no one ever told her about Launga's death and asks her mother why she kept this a secret from her. Galadin replies that she didn't wish to have secrets, Launga just never mattered in Auryn's education and her own mother never spoke much about her mother's death. Kaealys did tell her that Kasvarina grew dark and distant after the death of her daughter, turning her inner fire to a dark flame. </p><p></p><p>Returning to his role as constable, Carlyle mentions the thought that, putting all these pieces together, someone might just have blackmailed Kasvarina to abandon her cause (whatever that may be) and threatened to kill Launga. He explains that Kasvarina sounded like just the woman who would never leave her path even if that might endanger her child. He lays down Leone's description of the Matriarch, which seems to fit in nicely with all the attributes he just heard. Auryn on the other hand mumbles that this sounds all too familiar as she's also set on a course she plans to follow with all of her power and bearing an inner fire is nothing new to her. </p><p></p><p>We then ask the four about a person named Miller, but this name rings no bell to any of them. Last but not least, Auryn tells her family how she met Carlyle during her time as an RHC agent. She explains that they are both somehow connected to Srasama and that she's pretty sure the goddess wanted them to walk this road together. Carlyle agrees and tells them about the inner voice he mentioned two days before. This voice, he explains, calls to him occasionally to warn him from danger or to help him separate wrong from right. It also somehow made him care for Auryn and her people. </p><p></p><p>Auryn then adds a final, but crucial statement: “During all these times, Gabriel grew from mere colleague to trusted friend to someone I made my Sahomi. He stood by my side, he acted like an esteemed husband would do. So even if this might sound daring for a hitiko, I would eventually marry him.” </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(and this, mom, is how I met my deva <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> </span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #008000">A more paranoid mother might have tried to lecture her obviously mad daughter about not trusting a man who claims to be destined to be her connection to her long-lost deity. Seriously, were it not for the really obvious signs that their story isn't some lunatic's fever dream and was it not for the fact that Carlyle is the most honest man imaginable towards the eladrin, this would have raised a lot of red flags.</span></p><p><span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #008000">But yeah, Galadin believes that Auryn usually makes the right decisions.)</span></p><p></p><p>This revelation strikes the four of them like lightning, even if they knew that there was something going on between their daughter and this deva. Galadin blinks heavily and replies that she understand her daughter's needs for companionship and that she's used to having her own mind. But the last thing she wishes for is to see Auryn unhappy. And she's pretty certain that Auryn wishes to become a matriarch someday and continue their bloodline. Something that's only possible with an eladrin by her side as their race can only procreate with their own. </p><p></p><p>Practical Kalaren adds that she might just stick to her plan, she'd need just to marry a few more husbands that can provide her with children, problem solved. Estelar doesn't seem too happy about the possibility of seeing his only daughter leave her intended path for glory while Thorandil doesn't mind at all. Auryn then says that she doesn't believe that Srasama let her become connected with Carlyle only to be left to despair in the aftermath.</p><p></p><p>“I believe this has been enough ruckus for one evening.” Galadin interjects, ending the discussion prematurely. </p><p></p><p>“Gabriel Carlyle, would you mind joining me in my gardens tomorrow morning? There are some plants that I need to tend to.”</p><p></p><p>After the feast has ended, Carlyle is led to his room in the Matriarch's house. However, Auryn decides to visit him before he can finally get some sleep. She asks him for a little time in private and offers him to care for his seriously over-strained muscles. Carlyle agrees, even if he's a bit caught off guard when Auryn asks him to remove his shirt. </p><p></p><p>She then treats his back with tiger balm (made from tiger lillies, not actual tigers!) and gives him a relaxing massage, she again thanks him for taking care of the ghoul threat. Thinking about it, she assumes that the necromancer might have threatened her whole people's existence in time had he been able to continue his plan. Auryn then tells some anecdotes about her youth and how she learned this massaging technique from Kalaren when she was little and overdid her training regularly. </p><p></p><p>Afterward, she leads Carlyle to her own room to show him a little secret of hers. She opens her window and directs him to small climbing steps on the wall someone must have placed there a long time ago. Carlyle is at first a bit worried that criminals might use these as an easy means to enter her room, but Auryn just laughs in response.</p><p></p><p>“What criminals? My branch-sisters who'd try to snatch my brooches or my bow?” she says while climbing the wall all the way up to the roof. Carlyle is very much surprised to hear that there is no such thing as true crime in Pallita, but Auryn explains that this enclave consists of family and friends, people who know each other for decades. Visitors are rare as well, and most of them are either distant relatives or acquaintances from times past, so there's little reason for distrust. And if something happened, her mother would enact a swift judgement on anyone who'd violate the laws of Pallita. </p><p></p><p>In response, Carlyle states that, in his opinion, it would be highly unusual for someone who came from such a sheltered environment to actually become a person who actively fights crime. Auryn says that the element of crime is indeed something she'd needed to get accustomed to and that the “human world” is so much more dangerous and complicated than her own. But maybe it was this contrast that motivated her to make Flint and Risur a safer place for everyone. </p><p></p><p>We then talk a bit about Borne and the dangers he may pose for the enclaves. We discuss the possibility of Borne trying to find back a way to the material plane via overlaps between the Dreaming and the Material which would mean trampling through a few enclaves. We agree that this is something we have to tell to Kaealys as well as the “wandering Matriarch” might be well connected in modern Elfaivar. </p><p></p><p>We also talk about the possibility of Nicodemus trying to possess Borne and assume this might have been his plan all along: That he's the one controlling the world by threatening everyone with an unstoppable magic-immune giant. Auryn reminds Carlyle that Borne has a mind of his own, a mind he'll hopefully foster and protect from Ob influences. But we both agree that Borne either has to learn how to control his strength and how to treat “little people” with respect or be brought down.</p><p></p><p>The subject then changes to the various colonies that are being established in the lands of Elfaivar. Auryn fears that national conflicts might be transferred to her homeland especially with colonies being close to each other. Also, if this sort of expansion continues, she fears that her people who are only trying to return back to their original strength and population may find themselves in a situation where they have no homeland to inhabit anymore. Especially as Crisillyir and Danor established fast-growing colonies and we all know that they're not really friendly towards the eladrin. </p><p></p><p>“With the situation being as it is, I don't know if we'll ever have peace in all of Elfaivar”, Auryn sighs. </p><p></p><p>She then points to the myriad of stars lighting up the sky over Pallita and asks herself what a skyseer might see in these constellations right now. Carlyle agrees that the night sky is so much more beautiful without all the smoke and smog. They then share quite some time together watching the stars while Auryn leans her head on Carlye's.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #008000">(That place on the rooftop was actually her secret training ground and the only other person to discover it had been Zahir. </span></p><p> <span style="color: #008000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #008000">Also so much for not being romantic at all. But she'd never call it that way. “It is just the way I like it, so stay by my side and enjoy my company” sounds much more like Auryn.)</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lylandra, post: 7535511, member: 6816692"] [b]One night in Pallita[/b] The ghouls seem to understand that staying inside the city is both pointless and dangerous and so they scatter one by one. Meanwhile, we take some time to ritually cleanse the temple city and deliver the dead to the purifying flames of Srasama. Fortunately, the smoke alerts the rest of the eladrin squad that got lost when the curse affected them all. These guys can hardly remember what happened, but they are relieved to see that no harm befell their Matriarch and also quite happy to see Auryn return to them in their hour of need. When we're about to finish our hallowing rituals, Carlyle gazes over the remains of what must have been a magnificent city in the past. He then sighs deeply and states that he maybe made a mistake when he didn't take all of the ghouls down when he had the chance. He explains that even if some of them are sentient, they and their hunger are still a threat to the eladrin people. He then turns to Auryn and asks her to accompany her family on their way back to Pallita while he has some unfinished business he needs to take care of on his own. When she's surprised to hear that, he explains that something inside him is telling him to make sure the citizens of Pallita are safe and he also knows that she might need some time with her closest family to tell them about her new life. Auryn says that she understands, calls him a true guardian of her people and makes him promise he'll return to the enclave in two days. On their way back to Pallita, Auryn tells her family all about her journey west and everything she's experienced during these last eight years. She doesn't go into much detail regarding Fordren though and explains that Zahir died a hero's death while trying to protect her from pirates. She adds that she owes Zahir's mother, Zafira, an explanation about what happened to her son. Auryn then goes on to talk about the magnificent and chaotic city of Flint and Galadin is thoroughly impressed when her daughter tells her about the number of people living in the metropolis. She also talks about Risur and the land's connection to the Fey and the Unseen Court which has made living in Risur much more familiar than she had originally thought. She then turns the subject to Asrabey and Kasvarina and tells her family about their several meetings with the dreadnaught and also about the rescue of their ancestor who's suffering from amnesia. “You actually got along with Asrabey? I always thought him to be too... impulsive for my taste.” Galadin notes while Estelar agrees with a heavy nod. Auryn laughs at her mother's statement and agrees as well about Asrabey's impulsivity. She adds that the warrior has a good heart though and seems to like her. Regarding Kasvarina, Galadin doesn't know too much about her and she's also surprised that Auryn actually crossed paths with her. Auryn explains that knowing more about the Matriarch's past and motives might be of utmost importance to them as she might have a huge impact on the future of the world. She also realized that she doesn't know too much about her family's secrets (despite her name) which is why she might need to contact Kaealys, her grandmother. Galadin explains that she cannot be of much help indeed as she never saw her in person. But her own mother told her about the ancient Matriarch who was gifted with a will as strong as steel and burning with fire. She managed to gather lots of disciples and followers because of her radiance, but she also had quite the reputation of being dangerous and fearsome. And Kasvarina somehow never found peace and wandered the world restlessly. Two days later, the eladrin squad returns to Pallita where they are welcomed back with a big cheer from the other citizens. Carlyle arrives a bit later, seemingly unharmed and strained beyond his normal limits while still radiating with energy. When Auryn asks him about his strange state, he replies that he just feels completely happy and is filled with the thought that he finally did something right. Auryn smiles at him and thanks him for keeping his promise before sending him to the bathhouse as he's all covered in ghoul-gore. After a long session in the steam bath, she makes sure that her Sahomi is given a proper room in her mother's house. We're then invited to a family dinner with Galadin and her three husbands. While feasting on eladrin delicacies, we discuss the current state of the outside world, especially as there is a giant colossus running free in the Dreaming. We talk about the possible threat Borne might pose on the enclaves that are so close to the Dreaming and also explain that Kasvarina was involved creating him. Auryn then notes that no one ever told her about Launga's death and asks her mother why she kept this a secret from her. Galadin replies that she didn't wish to have secrets, Launga just never mattered in Auryn's education and her own mother never spoke much about her mother's death. Kaealys did tell her that Kasvarina grew dark and distant after the death of her daughter, turning her inner fire to a dark flame. Returning to his role as constable, Carlyle mentions the thought that, putting all these pieces together, someone might just have blackmailed Kasvarina to abandon her cause (whatever that may be) and threatened to kill Launga. He explains that Kasvarina sounded like just the woman who would never leave her path even if that might endanger her child. He lays down Leone's description of the Matriarch, which seems to fit in nicely with all the attributes he just heard. Auryn on the other hand mumbles that this sounds all too familiar as she's also set on a course she plans to follow with all of her power and bearing an inner fire is nothing new to her. We then ask the four about a person named Miller, but this name rings no bell to any of them. Last but not least, Auryn tells her family how she met Carlyle during her time as an RHC agent. She explains that they are both somehow connected to Srasama and that she's pretty sure the goddess wanted them to walk this road together. Carlyle agrees and tells them about the inner voice he mentioned two days before. This voice, he explains, calls to him occasionally to warn him from danger or to help him separate wrong from right. It also somehow made him care for Auryn and her people. Auryn then adds a final, but crucial statement: “During all these times, Gabriel grew from mere colleague to trusted friend to someone I made my Sahomi. He stood by my side, he acted like an esteemed husband would do. So even if this might sound daring for a hitiko, I would eventually marry him.” [COLOR=#008000](and this, mom, is how I met my deva ;) A more paranoid mother might have tried to lecture her obviously mad daughter about not trusting a man who claims to be destined to be her connection to her long-lost deity. Seriously, were it not for the really obvious signs that their story isn't some lunatic's fever dream and was it not for the fact that Carlyle is the most honest man imaginable towards the eladrin, this would have raised a lot of red flags. But yeah, Galadin believes that Auryn usually makes the right decisions.)[/COLOR] This revelation strikes the four of them like lightning, even if they knew that there was something going on between their daughter and this deva. Galadin blinks heavily and replies that she understand her daughter's needs for companionship and that she's used to having her own mind. But the last thing she wishes for is to see Auryn unhappy. And she's pretty certain that Auryn wishes to become a matriarch someday and continue their bloodline. Something that's only possible with an eladrin by her side as their race can only procreate with their own. Practical Kalaren adds that she might just stick to her plan, she'd need just to marry a few more husbands that can provide her with children, problem solved. Estelar doesn't seem too happy about the possibility of seeing his only daughter leave her intended path for glory while Thorandil doesn't mind at all. Auryn then says that she doesn't believe that Srasama let her become connected with Carlyle only to be left to despair in the aftermath. “I believe this has been enough ruckus for one evening.” Galadin interjects, ending the discussion prematurely. “Gabriel Carlyle, would you mind joining me in my gardens tomorrow morning? There are some plants that I need to tend to.” After the feast has ended, Carlyle is led to his room in the Matriarch's house. However, Auryn decides to visit him before he can finally get some sleep. She asks him for a little time in private and offers him to care for his seriously over-strained muscles. Carlyle agrees, even if he's a bit caught off guard when Auryn asks him to remove his shirt. She then treats his back with tiger balm (made from tiger lillies, not actual tigers!) and gives him a relaxing massage, she again thanks him for taking care of the ghoul threat. Thinking about it, she assumes that the necromancer might have threatened her whole people's existence in time had he been able to continue his plan. Auryn then tells some anecdotes about her youth and how she learned this massaging technique from Kalaren when she was little and overdid her training regularly. Afterward, she leads Carlyle to her own room to show him a little secret of hers. She opens her window and directs him to small climbing steps on the wall someone must have placed there a long time ago. Carlyle is at first a bit worried that criminals might use these as an easy means to enter her room, but Auryn just laughs in response. “What criminals? My branch-sisters who'd try to snatch my brooches or my bow?” she says while climbing the wall all the way up to the roof. Carlyle is very much surprised to hear that there is no such thing as true crime in Pallita, but Auryn explains that this enclave consists of family and friends, people who know each other for decades. Visitors are rare as well, and most of them are either distant relatives or acquaintances from times past, so there's little reason for distrust. And if something happened, her mother would enact a swift judgement on anyone who'd violate the laws of Pallita. In response, Carlyle states that, in his opinion, it would be highly unusual for someone who came from such a sheltered environment to actually become a person who actively fights crime. Auryn says that the element of crime is indeed something she'd needed to get accustomed to and that the “human world” is so much more dangerous and complicated than her own. But maybe it was this contrast that motivated her to make Flint and Risur a safer place for everyone. We then talk a bit about Borne and the dangers he may pose for the enclaves. We discuss the possibility of Borne trying to find back a way to the material plane via overlaps between the Dreaming and the Material which would mean trampling through a few enclaves. We agree that this is something we have to tell to Kaealys as well as the “wandering Matriarch” might be well connected in modern Elfaivar. We also talk about the possibility of Nicodemus trying to possess Borne and assume this might have been his plan all along: That he's the one controlling the world by threatening everyone with an unstoppable magic-immune giant. Auryn reminds Carlyle that Borne has a mind of his own, a mind he'll hopefully foster and protect from Ob influences. But we both agree that Borne either has to learn how to control his strength and how to treat “little people” with respect or be brought down. The subject then changes to the various colonies that are being established in the lands of Elfaivar. Auryn fears that national conflicts might be transferred to her homeland especially with colonies being close to each other. Also, if this sort of expansion continues, she fears that her people who are only trying to return back to their original strength and population may find themselves in a situation where they have no homeland to inhabit anymore. Especially as Crisillyir and Danor established fast-growing colonies and we all know that they're not really friendly towards the eladrin. “With the situation being as it is, I don't know if we'll ever have peace in all of Elfaivar”, Auryn sighs. She then points to the myriad of stars lighting up the sky over Pallita and asks herself what a skyseer might see in these constellations right now. Carlyle agrees that the night sky is so much more beautiful without all the smoke and smog. They then share quite some time together watching the stars while Auryn leans her head on Carlye's. [COLOR=#008000](That place on the rooftop was actually her secret training ground and the only other person to discover it had been Zahir. Also so much for not being romantic at all. But she'd never call it that way. “It is just the way I like it, so stay by my side and enjoy my company” sounds much more like Auryn.)[/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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