Q'Barra: Into the Emerald Forest - Part II

[SelcSilverhand]

Dargin lies awake long into the night, unable to rest easy with the thoughts churning in his head. Grandfather Raven, are the others truely dead? he asks his spirit guide. He waits for an answer, slowly drifting off to sleep. In the morning he has his answer.
He rouses himself slowly, shoulders slumped, looking worn out. While the others gather to discuss the next move he goes about his morning routine. Later he joins them and speaks in a quiet, sorrowful voice. "Last night Grandfather Raven flew far and spoke with older spirits to find answers to the questions we have asked. The spirits told him that Borden and Xavier are no longer of the mortal world and have joined their ancestors. I believe they removed them to keep us on this path. Though their actions seem harsh, they are necessary to the spirits goals. The last thing the spirits told Grandfather Raven is that the 'bugs from the ground' are clever, perhaps as clever as us. I will go where the group chooses to go, and if the Sky Touchers Tribe wish to join us I will welcome them."

Spells Grandfather has given me today:
[SBLOCK]
0-detect magic, detect poison, purify food and drink;
1- lesser vigor, Entangle, obscuring mist;
2- Easy Trail
[/SBLOCK]

 

[doghead]

he has no name, warforged warrior

The warforged spend the night considering what they have learnt, what he has seen, and what might be.

Morning comes and the others begin to stir.

He has no name listens to Dargin as he relates what his spirit guides have told him. The warforged growls as dargin tells them that Xavier and Boden are dead. But whether this is an acceptance or rejection of the statemnt is unclear.

"We have seen the creatures from the ground, and we have learnt about them. We have spent enough time in this forest. I think we know enough. It is time to try and put an end to the raids on the plantation.

"The Sky Touchers don't like the Three Feathers dusk. I do not think the two tribes would normally join forces against the creatures from the ground. But that would be the best solution. The creatures are stong enough to drive one tribe away. But perhaps two tribes and ourselves would be enough to overcome them. We should find out what would be needed to end the feud between the tribes."

The warforged falls silent. It stands motionless, as if producing all those words had taken all of his energy.

 

[Dayspire]

Erin

Once she hears Dargin's revelation, Erin's face hardens. She listens to her companions, but says nothing. It is only when He Has No Name speaks of an alliance between the two tribes does her composure break.

"What?" Erin turns on her warforged companion. "No. Never. I will not be a party to an alliance with the Three Feathers. They murdered our friends. There must be a reckoning for their actions. I will seek vengeance for Xavier and Borden." Erin looks at the Sky Touchers tribe, and watches them begin their day. "This does not mean that I believe we should ignore the insects. Both actions are equally important."

ooc: Erin (obviously) votes to head right for the ridge, asking the Sky Touchers for an escort. She does not have an opinion on which should be destroyed first - as long as the Three Feathers are put down. Hopefully Erin's attitude about this isn't annoying anyone - Erin truly liked Xavier, and started to enjoy having the old man around.

 

[doghead]

he has no name, warforged warrior

"Your eyes glitter brightly with righteousness and justice, Erin. You are quick to turn to killing as the tool of that judgement, and feel yourself honourable in doing so. Honour. Justice. Retribution. Vengence. These words have killed thousands of your kind. Hundreds of Thousands. And when there were not enough of your kind to do the killing, you made my kind to kill for you.

"Its true that it would be useful to know more of these creatures from the ground. But are you so sure you will come back? Are you mightier than a tribe, as mighty as a dragon? And what happens if we do not come back? Who will stop the raids then?

"I heard what Dargin said. Perhaps he is right. But I will not use their lives as justification for more deaths.

"I will not go any further into the forest. The longer we spend out here, the more raids happen at the plantation, and the more people are put at risk. I will return to the plantation and inform Kolbek of what we have learnt."

 

[Pebele]

Sanae listened to Dargin and Erin, then she turned her gaze to the no named warforged.

"You are free to do as you wish, but I will not turn my back on my obligations. For a machine built for war, you have never seemed much of a warrior. But then, I guess you have no soul to be touched by pain or anger, no kin to fight for."

With a scowl she turned away from him and looked to Erin. "I feel your pain, Erin. I am not certain I wish to befriend those who murdered our friends. However, if they were truly driven from their homes or are under the influence of some unknown force, they are also victims. We must find out more. If nothing else, Xavier and Borden would not wish for us to act on blind impulse. I think we should join with the Sky Touchers and explore the ridge. It is time to end this, once and for all."

 

[Yeoman]

Matilda listens to Erin, Sanae, and the unnamed before interjecting her own response. "Maybe an alliance with the Three Feathers is distasteful but it could be our only option. If we don't end up siding with them we could end up in a two way fight caught between the insects and the lizardmen. But if you are adamant about not allying with them, then we should try to avoid engaging them if possible. But then again, I'm always up for busting some heads. So I say we press on either in alliance or not, but we should bring our new friends the Sky Touchers either way."

Moving closer to Erin, Matilda whispers to her in Draconic. "Your friend the cowardly warforged there doesn't seem to share your or Sanae's thoughts of continuing the mission or of avenging your fallen comrades. Are you certain he is trustworthy?

 

[Urko]

Pressing Onward

In the morming, Hlal takes charge of organizing the other warriors. Matilda notices that most of the warriors bear many more scars (mostly ritually-inflicted) than him and a few seem to chafe at being ordered by the younger lizardfolk. Still, they fall in line and the (much enlarged) party is able to set out quickly. The villagers supply you with provisions in the form of long strings of salted fish and thick, tumorous roots that resemble fal but are much larger and more convoluted.

Despite the large number now traveling, the party makes rapid progress. Dargin's magic clears the way for the humanoids and warforged and the lizardfolk seem to melt through the trees. Before lunch you are once again at the base of K'Lethka Ridge. Erin overhears Hlal telling some of the others about the party's fight with the insects. He depicts their exploits with a great deal of awe, excitement, and about as much accuracy as might be expected from a witness who spent most of the battle semi-conscious in a cloud of fog. Still, it all sounds very exciting and the warriors who hear the tale view the party members with increased respect.

After a brief conference, the warriors decide the best path is along the south side of the ridge (the direction the party had originally been traveling to begin with), both because the way is shorter and the terrain is easier. Hlal adds that the north east corner of the ridge is considered to be a "corrupted" place. None of the warriors speaks from personal experience, but all are absolutely certain that that part of the rainforest is haunted by evil omens.

As the group travels along the edge of the treeline under the looming spine of the ridge, more than one person's eyes are repeatedly drawn to the summit, searching for enormous wasp like creatures. Only a few birds, or possibly small flying reptiles, circle in the skies, however. As twilight approaches, Hlal (advised by an older warrior) suggests turning southwards and moving a safe distance from the ridge to set up camp. Before dark they find a spacious but well protected hollow with a near solid overhanging of intertwined branches. The lizardfolk hurriedly arrange their sleeping spots then gather in a ring at the center of the hollow. They extend their arms until each is touching the palms of his neighbors, then begin to sway. The throat of one of the warriors inflates and it lets out a soft, wavering cry. "Hooo-awooo-ohooooon." The others join in, each at a different pitch and rhythm - some crooning long, drawn-out notes and others short, staccato grunts. The blend is hypnotic and continues for nearly a quarter of an hour. A gentle rain starts a short time later, but the party is well shielded and spends the night in relative comfort.

In the morning Hlal points to the east/northeast. "In that direction lies the Village of the Three Feathers, perhaps two miles. We will wait here and when you have found what you seek, we will join you in destroying the insects."

Let me know if there's anything special you want to do during the night or before you set out. Also any precautions you will exercise when approaching the Three Feathers village.

Edit: Whoops - almost forgot to address a big thing. HHNN, are you serious in taking off on your own? If you want to do that, we can play it out, but I should point out that without Dargin's magic and Matilda's boat, it could take quite a long time to get back - four or five days at least - assuming you don't get lost. Think about it, then let me know if you are going (and if anyone else is accompanying).

 

[Urko]

Interlude - Matilda dreams

As in so many of her dreams, Matilda is in motion. She is aboard the lightning rail, the countryside whizzing past her through the window. Around the bend ahead she can see the high pitched, gaily covered roof of Passage Station, grander even than Sharn's depot. The train whispers to a stop and Matilda can see that the platform is packed with cheering throngs. The mulititudes go wild at the sight of her, filling the air with fistfuls of flower petals and proudly waving aloft hand painted banners and signs with her name.

Somehow she is no longer in her seat, but is being bourn by the crowd from the Station. But outside, instead of the close packed buildings of passage, she sees a wide, open lawn, shrouded with mist at it's edges. Ugly gaping craters, oozing smoke, dot the grounds. At the far end lies the ruins of a once stately mansion. Matilda realizes with shock that it is Kolbek's. Only the veranda is intact and there is a sumptuous feast spread on the table there. The crowd bears Matilda inexorably towards it.


The table is crowded with guests, who stand and applaud as Matilda is installed at the place of honor. She recognizes Kolbek, and Nollis, and the little halfling girl and many of the other inhabitants of Steadfast Reach. And she realizes that all of them are quite dead - many months gone, by the looks of them. Kolbek raises his goblet high, tatters of flesh hanging from his upraised arm. The other decomposed guests do the same as the applause goes on and on and on...

Matilda awakens to the steady drip, drip, drip of drops of water striking an enormous bowl-shaped leaf just above her head. Sitting up disturbs the balance and its contents, nearly a gallon of water, pour over her.

 

[doghead]

he has no name, warforged warrrior

The warforged listens to what Sanae and Matilda have to say.

"Your opinion of my character is of no interest to me, warrior of the Silver Flame. Save your insults for one who cares."

The warforged is silent for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts.

"We were hired by Kolbek to find a way to put an end to the raids on the plantation. We have a way to do that. The longer we remain out here, the longer the raids will continue, so we should return immediately. By staying out here longer than necessary we are turning our back on our obligation.

"That is why I believe we should return to the plantation now."

 

[Pebele]

A Fire burns behind Sanae's eyes as she practically spits out a response to the warforged.

"And the thoughts of one who does nothing to assist the group, aside from staying awake all night, are of no interest to me. Go back to the plantation, perhaps then we can fill your spot with one of these brave warriors who will not turn their back on the group. Anyone with a soul would know that obligations do not end on a piece of paper. We have a way to stop the raids and help other people and the longer we argue with you, the greater the risk of more people being harmed. So get on your way back, the rest of us are going forward."

She turns away from him and addresses the rest of the group.

"Any other cowards?"