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Rhiannon PNP Supplement

Randall acknowledges Elmer's question with a nod and 'hmmm' and sets about adjusting the gear he has brought along. While doing this he make it clear he has not forgotten the dwarfs question, rather he is contemplating the story…
- he stows his staff along his side and secures it so it will not interfere with riding but still be at hand.
- he also mounts the short-bow into his back, attaching it to thee quiver in its bracket.
A few minutes later, he settles in the saddle, tosses the cloak back a bit, and begins.

"Well, now. Let me see. I will give you my traditional family tree, as I notice that Honorable Gaithys has an ear pointed this way as well. [Gaithys nods slightly while still riding ahead of the pair]
On the ships from Eire were my kin Pádith, Beliolia, and Delolia Melikijur. Firstborn of this land was mother Vawen, healer. The mothers after her in my line were Elraraviel, Fóng, Pádith, Urádith, Eowólindë, Celéwien, Isuniel, Glonia, Eowaraviel, Eärithraniel, Hélindë, Isuniel, Elvuwien, Gundra, Rithrarith, Eowaraviel, Legádith, and Hiodia. My grandmother Uradien married Glélas Galanodel, and had two children. My mother, Unelindë, married Nadrielith Mermion and had two children that I know of. My sister Elvuwien and myself.

My youth was spent in the lush forests of our family, and on the green plains of the northern lands. Those lands were much different than you see now. You may know the Northern lands as a wasteland, but I remember them as alive, lush, and full of the land-song.

My grandmother was known as one of the best weavers of our clan. She can make fabric that dazzles the eyes in its richness or makes you near impossible to see hidden under it. She is a gifted artist. My mother has not the fingers for that task, but can make salves and balms to heal body and soul. I owe much of my healing skills to her. My youth included many year wandering in the woods, looking for her stands of ingredients: leaves and bark, fruit, mints, grasses, nettles and briars, minerals and gems.

When I was beginning my training, around 55 years old, we began to feel the change in the land. The evil we always felt in the back of our minds, and our masters said was present long before, began to make itself visible in the land. As our people needed scouts, and several of my kin were trained in that art, I followed that training for a while. Many a year did I walk, investigate reports of desolation, and report to our leaders the advancement of the blight.

Finally, the blight took our trees, and the animals, and finally the means of my kin to survive in that land. We, as a race, moved south below the barrier mountains. As I was passing through Bastion, I found I could not leave the land to it's peril. I joined with the human armies and continued scouting, and basically holding the barrier of the blight to the north. Finally, as most people know, the battle of Bastion turned the tide against the lizard-men. I was one of the chosen to stay and destroy the armies of the lizard in Bastion.

As the fortress was exploding, we were in the tunnels making our way out. We were caught in the blast and dropped deep into the mountain. In the caverns below, we encountered a beast that turned my party into stone. What happened from then until I was restored I have no memory. What I know is that just over four hundred years passed.

In this last two years since waking, I have been involved in some minor events of the world. One such adventure brought me to Alderweg, where my companions and I raised the keep from its protected sleep, and even now are trying to maintain a peaceful place for a town to grow. It is true enough that a town calls my two companions and I 'lords,' and the former owner of the keep has agreed to our holding that title. Thus, the flowery introduction by Epaphrosas as Earl of Alderweg.

On another adventure, my companions and I found ourselves far away facing a black dragon, [quietly] two in fact. [again louder] We did indeed kill the dragons, and as part of our bargain, received possession of a Holy Tree of Eire seedling. Considering the company here, many probably know of its effectiveness as a talisman, and its special powers as part of the powerful ley-magic of this land. Of course, there is a very large dragon in the land of Greyblade right now. My family's land before him - oh the thought! I have seen the dragon with my own eyes and quaked. So again, killer of a dragon I may be, it still is shameful to know I ran when I faced another."



As the party travels, Randall talks of his many minor adventures as an adolescent: mostly funny tales like seeing an eagle take a branch out of the river, thinking it was a fish, and planting itself at full speed headfirst into the river.

He also asks Elmer "so tell me about yourself."
 
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Elmer tugs on his beard and thinks for a moment, deftly leading his pony with his knees all the while.

"My Daddy retreated through the pass at Bastion as a young dwarf with my family. Just ahead of the lizard armies. Both us boys joined the priesthood, me brother a sword of Salix and meself a scholar. My life been fairly uneventful, except academically, which I don't think your asking after.

Course that all changed when a young man named Anselm befriended me. Since then I served here and there, and now am likely to be named Archbishop. If that don't beat all."

He pauses and spends a fair amount of effort fishing a pipe out of his cloak.

"I remind you that our primary purpose here is to secure the aid of the elves in finding their, your, lost brothers. A clear secondary purpose is to show them that this Patriarch will deal with them squarely. Don't be deceived."

He taps the pipe hard against his boot then fills it with tobacco, still controlling the mount with his knees.

"Oh, by the way, that Earl thing may be more real than ye know. I heard some folk named Berric Dondarion applied for the patent of nobility on yer behalf to the king."

"Do ye smoke?" He offers the tobacco pouch to Randall.
 

No, I do not smoke. well, except in the taverns where everyone else fills the air. Thank you anyway.

Oh, Berric. I guess that does not surprise me. Might mean I'll have to pay more to the king, somehow. Not what I wanted, but no matter.

I will do my best to help restore relations to the elf kingdom. I have seen what this lost clan can do and have no intention of letting them topple the current power structure. I want to find them as much or more than anyone. I suppose Honorable Gaithys will speak as the ambassador from the queen. Perhaps I can speek for for the elves outside of the elven kingdom in exile.

As for myself, I'm trying to get restored too. It has been more than four hundred years sisnce I talked to any of my kin. The official families, at least. Stone for four hundred years, in and out of Rhiannon a few times, and duties as 'earl' have kept me occupied. I tried to talk to them once, but was brushed away by the border guards and I did not want to press my case than, as I had human companions.


Do we expect any trouble? I see many are armed, and perhaps I should be more diligent in looking for danger.
 

"There be danger everywhere dear Randall, but I'm not expectin the physical sort, unless its politcally motivated. The muscle is here to be sure that this delegation doesn't fall prey to roving bandits or other sordid folk."

He adds in a quieter voice, "Or don't mysteriously dissapear enroute either."

He rides on for a bit as Randall ponders this.

When Elmer speaks again, it is quietly, in a scholarly voice that seems a change from his usual dwarven tone. "Actually it's Epaphros, not Gaithys that leads this journey. It is he that will be the Patriarch's mouthpiece when we get to the elven lands. Gaithys is here to protect his interests, no more. A sly one he is. Still, if you get a chance to measure him up for yourself, I'd avail yourself of the opportunity." He takes a long draw from his pipe.

"For the better part of three centuries, the elves have lived quietly in the Dimwood, not ass...nay, refusing to associate with any others. They blame humans in general and the Church hierarchs in particular for the war that drove them from their - your- homelands. Not that they have any love for the Cuthberts either."

"About a hundred some years ago Gaithys Galanodel comes galloping into Antioch as the Ambassador to the Holy Seat. Relations have been mending since, but your kin are a reclusive lot. Unless I miss my guess, they know a bit more about the events of the past years than they've let us know. Hopefully we get some answers, but I'm expecting blank stares. Which is why, of course, Edmund suggested you accompany us."
 

Randall makes small talk - telling and swapping stories for a while. After a while, when conversation with Elmer draws out a bit, Randall moves up to Epaphros.

"Sir, thank you for inviting me along on this mission. I hope I can be of service to the church, as well as the elves. To that point, I need to know what you expect of me. Should I stay quietly in the background, or will I be invited to the meetings and discussions? Please, tell me how you see my role in this party."

"Oh, and while we are at it, how about a little bit more personal introduction at dinner tonight. I assume we will have to trust each other, and I know no one on this trip."

Randall has been looking to see the 'order' of the group - who is important, who is lower on the pecking order. In the same vein, what are the 'trades' of classes of each person?
1) Epaphros, human: Cleric - church
2) Callenthian, human: cleric or wizard?
3) Gaithys Galanodel, elf: ambassador - for the elves, not church
4) Galinden Galanodel, elf: ranger / fighter - for the elves, not church
5) Regitian of St Salix, human: paladin
6) Salisha of St. Quentin, human: Cleric
7) Elmer Ironbeard, dwarf: loremaster
8) Mielerian of Xantas, human: Ranger

- other unnamed fighters or clerics
 
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As the days pass you begin to sort out the personalities that accompany you.

EPAPHROS
After a few days it becomes clear to you that Epaphros is the consummate diplomat. He praises each person often, usually in important sounding ways. He seems to be the most friendly with Gaithys, perhaps through several years spent bantering with eachother. He says he has served 3 patriarchs in various diplomatic ways, first as the steward - in control of official dinners and functions, then in more substantial ways. He briefly served as the Patriarch's ambassador to The Kings Court in Malta.
He has no specific knowlege of the current Patriarchs agenda, save that he desires closer relations with the elves of the Dimwood and needs to counter the threat of the dark elves. He does know that a year or two ago, the current Patriarch's personality seemed to change from someone happily serving the poor, to a holy man with a determined bent to achieve greatness for the church.
Epaphros hopes that he will be able to establish a permanant embassy with the elven queen, and you gather that he hopes (plans?) to be the ambassador.


ELMER
Though Epaphros is nominally in charge of the party, it is clear that Elmer is the will that leads them. At least once you thought you caught Epaphros glance to him for approval. This good natured dwarf holds a vast amount of knowlege in his head, as you gather when you ask him specific questions about things (Ask specific questions, answers to come).


CALLENTHIAN
Callenthian is a priest in the service of St Keoghtom. Unlike his master, his interest is more in healing than in diplomacy. He has a cheerful demeanor and sunripe red hair. He happily discusses at length the reputed healing properties of herbs and berries, and asks many questions about your adventures. He seems the most intrigued by the centaurs and the island.

---to be continued----
 
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MIELERIAN
Mielerian of St Xantas is a tall bearded man with a bald spot on the back of his head. He laughs quickly and teases those around him frequently. (Especially Regitian, who doesn't seem to find this as funny as Mielerian obviously does.) He has travelled the length and breadth of all of southern Rhiannon in his 48 years and will often tell tales of the things he has seen, you are not sure how much of these tales are true. As a priest of St Xantas, he has spent most of the last 4 years in the Church at Antioch serving as the director of travels. Offered this position by Edmund, Mielerian jumped at the chance to get his feet dirty again.

GALINDEN GALANODEL
Galinden Galanodel is a young elf with blonde hair and green eyes. He is quiet and deferential but carries himself in a slightly condescending way toward those not elven. He is dressed in dark green or black clothing and his chain armor is silent and the same color. He wields a large black wooden bow as tall as he is and a short sword. A he wears dagger on each calf. Through observation, it is clear to you that he serves as Gaithys' body gaurd. Never straying to far from him, he remains ever vigilant and while Gaithys rests, he remains awake.

----To be continued----
 
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Callenthian
Randall enjoys talking with Callenthian, especially sharing knowledge about herbs and herbal remedies. "I have a special recipe for repelling vermin. It is a more potent version of the well-known poltice, but it has better effects and works on the larger pests as well. I discovered it at Alderweg while trying to get rid of gophers in the fields. I was so irritated at them once, I must confess, that I blew a huge hole in the ground, ruining a lot of beets, but missing the gopher! Anyway, substitute wolfsbane for the catnip, mix in two parts hard cider and one part lye. It is strong at first, but it works."

Having mentioned the Island, and the centaurs, Randall decides that perhaps Callenthian could know about Merzinius: "Callenthian, I am known to the only centaur in Rhiannon. His name is Merzinius. He keeps a plot of land near an old bugbear den hidden in ruins just northeast the town of Alderweg. He knows little of the current centaurs on the Island, but is interesting enough to talk with to make the journey. Perhaps after this mission?"

Elmer
Randall naturally falls to traveling with Elmer, when he is not talking to any of the others. He regularly prompts Elmer with questions about lore, finding where his favorite areas lie. He also askes about things that interest himself, as well.

"Hey, Elmer? What do you know of Eire? Is it possible that the ships that survived - eight of them that I know of, had more than just the righteous? Or were there other ships, of the evil sort, that saw the emminant disaster, and was able to flee?"

"Elmer, you asleep? [no] Tell me about dragons. How long can they live? [shows him the scale he is working on] This came from a black one I killed.
What kind of dragon did St. Angus defeat? Was he using Salix's blade?
I think I will be fighting another big, that is VERY big, black dragon in the north soon, and I believe the lost elves have something to do with him (he was wearing a saddle). What does your lore tell of very old dragons?"

Mielerian
While Randall tries to be as good natured as the next elf (not saying much), he really does not like the teasing of Mielerian. Especially offending are his remarks about pointy ears and their having something do do with elven mothers carrying their babies by their ears.

One night, while Galinden was on watch, Randall signs to Galinden to watch this...
He wakes Regitian, who was aware of this plot, and waits until he sits up.

Randall then walks over to Mielerian and makes sure he is asleep with no weapons at hand [move silently] Smiling back at Galinden and Regitan, Randall transforms into a black bear, and turns to Mielerian. Breathing noisily on M's face, Randall-bear puts a paw on his chest, gives a small lick to his face, and then ROARS the meanest, hungriest growl he can. Sure that Mielerian has reacted as expected, Randall lopes into the darkness and circles around. Turning back into an elf, he comes up next to Galinden.

Galinden
Shortly after the last event, Randall speaks to Galinden.
"I realize you are on duty for this trip. However, before this, you must have spent time in the Elven kingdom in exile. I have been absent from our kin for over 400 years. What is the state of our people? What can I expect when I get home to our people?"


[image of etched dragon scale - in process]
 

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REGITIAN

Regitian, priest of St Salix, is a dour man. He doesn't engage in small talk to any extent. His responses to questions reveal a thoughtful mind, but he seems to be concerned mostly with aspects of his role in the group. Clearly he has been charged with security, as he is most vigilant in this. 6 of the young men obviously report to him. The allegiance of the other is less clear.

SALISHA

This young woman has brown hair and a slightly pouty face. She wears not armor, and carries a quarterstaff bearing what you take to be religious symbols. (failed know:religion)She seems pleasant enough though. Occasionally she rides to the head of the column and discusses matters with Epaphros. You have seen her share a pipe with Elmer. She bears herself with confidence as one accustomed to leadership. She seems to take pains to avoid all the elves in the group. Including Randall.

You can't escape the feeling that you should know her.


----To be Continued----
 

After Regitan did not react to Randall's joke on Mielerian, Randall gave up talking to him, other than for the normal duties involved in the journey. Regitan, however, seems glad someone has distracted Mielerian from taunting him.

Mielerian, on the other hand, had a good laugh once he knew it was Randall as the bear. With an 'understanding' now, Randall and Mielerian pass the bantering back and forth without malice (and without ear jokes)
- "You know, Mielerian, I might have been the monster your mother scared you with at night... haaa haa"
- "Ever seen a boogyman? Want to? haaa haaa"
- "Randall, had any bear hugs and lovin' recently? Hoo Haa" --- " nope, I prefer a beautiful hippogriff!"

* On one particularly plain stretch of trail, Mielerian has been telling tales of escapades across the lands. "I've seen me a black dragon" Mielerian boasts. "It was..." and he prattles on a bit.
* "Proove it." Randall says, thinking that at least this once he may have caught in a boast he can not proove..
* "Can't, I only saw it."
* "Where?"
* Mielerian regales the party with details. [OOC DM-accurate or not?]
* "I killed me two!" Randal says quietly, showing M the scale.


Salisha is a mystery to Randall. Finally he approaches her...
"I feel I may have offended you somehow, or perhaps my kin. You sure do not want to talk to me, but if we are on the same mission and perhaps I will need to trust you and you trust me, I would like to know you better."
...
"what symbol do you wear? I am not sure I recognize it."
...
After talking a while longer
"Do I know you from somewhere? Have you had another name, or perhaps a sister or brother I may know?"
 

Into the Woods

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