Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nthal" data-source="post: 7991951" data-attributes="member: 6971069">The King of the Forest -5/17/2020 The elves have a command of delivery I am envious of.  The simplest elvish phrases communicating on levels beyond the literal words.  It takes a bit of history and a bit of thinking to get to the point of an elf’s diatribe.  But it is so worth the effort. But this presence extends beyond their own language.  So much so that I am certain I could listen enraptured to an elf speaking in the corrupted tongue of Abyssal.  Words are power, but a skilled elf speaking them is powerful.I slept.  The exhaustion of childcare was more than enough to send me into a dreamless sleep.   I didn’t even need a flask of anything to induce it.  But I certainly did regret it, in a different way.The morning light had touched my eyes, which slowly fluttered open.  I felt, aches and pains in my limbs as the fog of sleep departed.  I dimly remembered being shown to the same guest hut in Whitepetal that I had stayed in before, and I remembered flopping down on the divan…which explained everything.I was curled up awkwardly on my side on the divan, still dressed in my armor, and still wearing most of the daggers and things.  And most of the things I wore, poked and prodded me in uncomfortable ways.  But mostly due to the armor, I surmised that I had slept in the same position all night.  So, I couldn’t exactly call it the best night’s sleep I had ever had, but it was a small step up from either a bedroll on the ground, or on Beepu’s disc.A very small one.I groaned and pushed myself into a sitting position and looked about.  On a table with two chairs, there was a small bowl of some kind of fruit, along with a pitcher and some mugs.  I stood, my body strenuously objecting and staggered to one of the chairs and sat down.  I then poured myself what appeared to be water into a mug and drank.  It wasn’t pure water; there was something herbal with a hint of fruit.  But it was refreshing, compared to the foraging we had been doing.  I took a whole piece of fruit from the basket and bit into it.  The sweet and tart tastes was again a welcome change from the reality of marching around the High Moors.  As I munched on the flesh of the fruit, I heard a quiet wheeze.There on the other chair, slept Gossamer.  Ever since we left Secomber, he was always my personal guardian, watching over me.  As a familiar, he technically didn’t need food or sleep.  But given the opportunity he would eat and doze.  But I hadn’t really seen him slumber since we left Waterdeep together.Smiling, I reached over and gently ruffled the tressym’s fur.  He pulled in his limbs tighter and turned himself, so his belly was exposed to my hand’s caresses, and made a small contented grunt like noise.  I saw no reason to wake him now; all he would do would lecture me…about something.Frowning, I knew it was too early to look for the others.  And so, I turned to the dreaded task of reading again.  I flexed and put a dim orange light on the pitcher and pulled out my new source of dread; the Apocrypha and started to read.The rituals of binding were interesting, but I paid little attention to them.  I didn’t want to go to…that construct place again.  The magical rituals that I had etched into it were also uninteresting.  So, I focused on anything else that I could read. The first section I found was an almost, mechanical description of the flow of the strand’s energy.  It talked in terms of ‘quanta’ and other obscure terms that made little sense.  It mentioned that the binding ‘attachment’ process was a painful (confirmed) process, that grew over time, and that the growth could be accelerated by catalyst.  Parsing through it became clear that the catalyst could be many things, but one of the most common ones, was heavy use of the strands themselves.This made sense; in Sigil when I first could cast a bolt of energy, it took me a while to figure out how to repeat it.  One of the problems during my self-education, was I tried to cast and blast junk which, didn’t work.  It wasn’t until a cranium rat was trying to steal a hunk of bread did it become clear why; I had to target something alive.  And only much later did I realize it applied to musties as well.  It was at this point, that I went down to the Civic Festhall to learn more about magic, from both open lectures, and as a Sensate from the Sensorium.  But even that learning had a limit and it explained why I was stuck for a long time; I didn’t get into fights.  In fact, I avoided them; in Sigil it was easy to bite off more than you could handle in a scrap.  You never knew if the next berk you met was a skilled blood or not.  So, I just kept my power to myself.But once I was hipped here, things changed.  Just the walk from Triboar to Yartar and forced me to defend myself from the the witherlings and gnolls.  Not only did I have a target; I felt that rush after the fight.  Killing a cranium rat didn’t trigger it but fighting other things did.I sat back a moment and wondered, perhaps that was why I felt the way why I did after a fight was over.  Was the euphoria of killing something a perverse way to encourage me to use the strand?  That this catalyst was a strange form of addiction.  And the more I used it, the stronger it got, which encourage me to seek out more things to…I grimaced at the implication.  There were other options now.  I could pull water out of nothing, I could heal, I could do any number of things.  Of course, none scratched that itch within me.  Which only made me wonder if those other things were less effective.  Continuing on with my reading, it started make less and less sense until I found something interesting.The loci used are not symbolic, they are literal vortices connecting to energy planes themselves.   However, the nature of these planes has energy flowing in one direction: from positive to negative.  Normally on the prime material, this confluence of energy works through an elemental medium in a single direction.  This creates many effects, but noticeably the functioning life matrixes within crystal spheres also share this flow of energy.But when a binding agent with the loci interacts with life matrixes in this way, it alters the normal flow.  The presence of a direct planar vortex attracts the energy flow and has two effects; first the flow to the negative is increased.  This requires additional energy from the positive to maintain equilibrium.  The net resolution is that the vortices energy flow rate increases.  The more matrix interaction, the greater the flow.  It also causes the matrix to cease functioning just as it would normally.Ok…that made horrid sense.This is an intentional design as it allows for the binding agent to function as intended.What the sodding?!  I’m not some modron on the March.  I’m not a construct!  I care about…death, er NOT causing death.The agent has limited reserves in the earliest part of the maturation process.  A reserve of quanta can be stored by creating an object to act as a reservoir to assist in overcoming agent limitations.  It requires a measure of properly calibrated steel and a corundum infused with planar matrix.  Once aligned with loci it can hold additional quata for utilization…Where before I was offended and shocked, now I was invested and enraptured.  What I was reading was how to create something…a tool.  Here the precision used was helpful.  The steel and the ‘alignment’ needed was straightforward.   So, all I needed was a corundum…whatever that was.--So…now you can read it, you can’t put it down, can you?I jumped in my seat and turned to glare at Gossamer who was casually grooming himself.What the…did you have to scare me like that?--No.  Its not my fault that you were preoccupied.  I suppose if you had someone to warn you…Oh wait; that’s me!  So now you are warned.I squinted at Gossamer at the barb thrown.Cute.  Funny.  You should get a job with Beepu telling jokes about third cousins.--No need to be so rude. [HR][/HR]Later that morning the sun rose, and I dressed and rejoined the others for the journey, deeper into the forest to meet the elusive monarch. We were travelling on foot on the forest floor.  Here it seemed that the forest lived up to its name, as there were banks of fog and haze all around.  The sunlight from above gave everything an ethereal glow that made it feel less like a march, but more of a waking dream.  The haze did nothing to hide the beauty of the trees and foliage.  As we moved deeper within, flowers on bushes, trees and vines became more and more common; their colored petals glistening with dew and sparkling with the occasion stray beam of sunlight.  The smells shifted from earth, loam and wet leaves, to floral scents, pine and moss as we ascended higher into the hills.  Finally, our path came to a ridge line looking into a valley, and as I followed the path and crested the hill, I found myself looking down into it, and my breath was taken away.The valley seemed to be a pocket of sunshine in the Misty Forest.  Below I saw a scattering of ponds and on one side a lake of glittering silver.  On the banks of the waters below there was a breath of vibrant colors, separated by well maintained paths.  The trees here were large, and you could see the web of bridges crossing between the limbs.  But within the branches weren’t the small clustered structures like in Whitepetal, but instead there were structures as large as manor houses nested within, while at the base of the trees there were elegant structures of stone, creating halls and patios.  In the center of it all was an oak that dwarfed all the other trees in grandeur.  Its branches spread far and wide, holding perhaps five manors within.  While at its base were elegant white marble buildings, clustered around more pools of water.  The stone and wood blended together cleanly, as if the stone grew around the trees, or even grew with them.  There was no sign of nature overwhelming the stone, like there were in the ruins we had seen in the forest before.I walked slackjawed in wonder, my eyes tearing with joy at the natural splendor.  And I was not alone, as all my companions were silently drinking the visual feast around us.  We were in such awe that we dared not speak to each other, lest we break the spell we were looking at.As we approach, the sounds of music and laughter could be heard in the distance, as we could hear the elves celebrating joyfully.  The music was fast and light in tone; glad and merry.  As we walked the pathways, I realized that it wasn’t neat gardens with plants trimmed and manicured.  But it was all wild and haphazard, yet no flower or blade of grass strayed onto the path, and there was no sign that a blade or shovel kept them back.We walked ever closer to that giant oak and approached what looked to be a large hall or pavilion, with wide broad set of white stairs leading up the to the interior.  On pillars and posts, there were lanterns containing light, sparkling and shining that was clearly wasn’t fire, but magic.  The marble floors were covered in intricate woven rugs, that deadened the noise of our footsteps in these marble halls.  The first area we entered was an open room, with a dais with six chairs, the center two more grand than the others; each carved or perhaps shaped from a rich dark red wood, with motifs of dancing stags, noble wolves, and majestic raptors.  But for all the nobility and grandeur the room stood empty, the chairs unoccupied.We were quickly ushered to another chamber to the side of the hall. This one had a more intimate feeling, with statuary and topiary side by side encircling the round room.  In the center was a pond of water, while to one side was a half circle of chairs, one side open to the pond. On the table sat glasses and flasks of colored liquors and along with a small bowl of ripe red berries.  And there, seated on one pf the chairs, talking to an attendant on his left was the King of the Misty Forest; Melandrach.His hair was long reaching easily to his waist, and it was the color of honey.  Turning to face us, he wore a warm smile and regarded us with eyes of a violet hue.  He wore no armor, and only had a dagger sheathed at his side.  But his nobility was all in his posture and surety of his motions and how hey conveyed himself; he needed no crown to assert his power.He stood and nodded towards us and spoke with a soft somber voice.“So, these are the souls that have faced the dark forces at our borders.  I welcome you to the heart of the forest, Or’Mathora.” He strode to meet us by the pool and continued.“Beepu, son of Pachook.  You have your fathers’ determination and his thirst,” he said addressing the gnome. “You do your family credit as you continue his legacy.  You are welcome here.”   Beepu was silent and nodded politely.  The elf then continued.“The brothers Daneath and Iesa, sons of Umbra.  Your deeds show your character and worth, and I am pleased to welcome you both here.”  At the mention of their father’s name, Iesa was about to speak, when Daneath jabbed him gently in the ribs, saying “Your majesty,”Melandrach smiled and replied, “I am king because I must be; I need no honorifics to remind me of such.  You are my guests, and have no need of such formalities,” to which the pair nodded respectfully.Finally, he turned to me, “And the ha-celas Myrai, who has traveled from beyond this world, to make a mark in this one.  Though I know not your lineage, I see its blood.  You too are welcome here.”I nodded and quickly replied in my native tongue, “Mahn iya oe ka lonomaiki I na lya.”Melandrach tilted his head and smiled, only responding a with a single Celestial word in reply; “Iyanoe.”  It’s a word that doesn’t have a direct translation into common, because it is dependent on how it is used, but here it would be a polite acknowledgement.“Please…sit.  Make yourself at ease as we have much to discuss,” he said gesturing to the chairs behind him.  We each took a seat, and as I did so I realized how weary I was from the long walk from Whitepetal.  As we did so, Foggle who had been drifting above landed on the back of Beepu’s chair, while Gossamer sat and gazed into the pool, ignoring us all.  Finally, I heard the sounds from the pack that Iesa set on the ground, and for the first time in days, I saw Mo creep out.  He quickly scampered to the table and quickly grabbed a small pawful of berries and retreated to Iesa’s shoulder to consume his prize.This amused Melandrach; his smile widening and growing warmer.  “How unlike Umbra,” he said mischievously.“You…know him?” Daneath stammered.“I admit to knowing him only in passing,” Melandrach explained.  He waved his hand and attendants brought us what appeared to be wine in tall slender glasses.  “But his demeanor and purpose were singular in focus.  He did not seem one to be distracted by creatures.  But this again was only an impression.”“My lor…er…Melandrach,” Beepu started and caught himself before continuing.   “I have come to seek knowledge that—”“--Yes…you have come seeking that and more,” Melandrach said looking at Beepu with a smile.  “You seek answers.  As do your human friends.  But first I must thank you for what you have done for the forest, for its people and thereby for me.  I have been told of the hobgoblin child and his abilities, and more importantly how he came to be the figurehead of a horde on the borders.   I wish to offer you fitting rewards for your efforts.  But first I must give to you,” he said looking at Beepu, “Something that Pachook left behind.”The elf motioned with his hand, and a pair of elves came forward from the edges of the room, bearing a chest.  They set it down in front of the gnome, who looked at it with eager curiosity.  They then opened it, and Beepu jumped down from his chair to look at the contents.  Inside was a satchel, similar to the one we had found at Flint Rock, if in better shape than the one left in those empty halls.  From where I sat, I could see more bundles of scrolls and parchments stuffed inside.  But I also saw another small box within that Beepu picked up first.  Opening it, inside was a cluster of metal and crystal, shaped into a rough sphere shape.  Beepu turned this contraption in his hand as Melandrach continued.“He left it here for you, and had I known you were in the forest I would have sent for you sooner.  I am glad to finally see it delivered to you.”“Delivered?” Beepu said looking at Melandrach puzzled.  “You could have sent word or had someone bring it to me!”“Alas, I could not.  That was not the agreement your father made, and he was very specific; you had to come here to get it.” He replied spreading his hands as he explained.  “It was partially because of this, that I had attracted the anger of the Kershak.  That was perhaps a mistake, but perhaps not as great as the bargain that the Kershak and I had struck long ago.”“Why did he demand that I wonder?” Beepu said still looking at the object in his hands.“Presumably because he wanted the Kershak to follow Umbra and himself,” Melandrach said softly.“So, why was Pachook following our father then?” Iesa asked, leaning forward in his chair.“He was not; Umbra was following Pachook,” Melandrach replied.  “But perhaps I should start at the beginning.” To which the three men nodded.“Long ago the Kershak and I made a bargain; the reasons are not important, but it allowed the Kershak to travel unhindered within the forest.   It had been that way for over seven decades, when Pachook came to us to ask of me three favors.”“What favors?” Beepu asked, his attention now ripped away from the metallic pieces and he looked at the monarch once again.“Pachook came with the poor creature Umbra and asked for the following: the first was to give you the contents of the chest when you and Umbra’s sons came looking for it.”  This caused Daneath and Iesa to look at each other puzzled.  But Melandrach continued before they could ask a question.  “The second was passage to Silverymoon, which was an easy thing to accomplish.  The third ask was to conceal the pairs’ passage from the Kershak’s knowledge.  Since they came in secret, it appeared to be a simple matter to ensure that others did not disclose their visit.”Melandrach took a brief sip from his glass before continuing.  “Yet, Paradros did come and ask of my people where they had both gone.  The denials of my kin did not fool him.  And so, I could not conceal that they had came through here, but I did not say where they had departed to and nothing was asked about things left behind.   For this my people paid a great price.”  Melandrach took a sip from his glass, while we sat there frozen, our drinks forgotten as we listened to the tale he told.“But Paradros’ offense will not be forgotten nor forgiven.  He will be put to the sword, should he or indeed any of the Kershak set foot within my realm again.”“Melandrach, why did you call Umbra a ‘poor creature?’ I asked quietly.  The brothers’ heads swiveled to look at me, and then back to the monarch.“Understand that we knew of Umbra because he was a Kershak, but we did not trust him.  We trusted Pachook however, and it was because of him and his service to us that we honored his request.   But while I had met Umbra once before, the man that stood by Pachook was a vastly different one.”“What do you mean?” Daneath asked as he leaned forward in his seat in anticipation. “Umbra had seemed to have lost all the vitality he once had, but none of the drive.  I remember him standing here in my hall, gazing at me with an intensity only matched by the light of the sun, but with a chill felt only in the deepest winter.”“The man that stood before me, was very unlike the rest of us.  He was simply put, a man who had stepped away from his former life, and in fact out of his former grave.”We all listened in a stunned silence as the King said somberly:“Your father, I am certain was quite dead.”</blockquote>

Verification