Warriors Of The Coast

[DEFCON 1]

Typically, this is where I'd have a witty remark, but you've caught me off guard in more ways than one. I can see who you work for, but beyond that, who are you and what do we do now?

The man snorts in amusement one time, then resheathes both daggers. "The name's Corren. Jakk Corren. One of Zendarrill's lapdogs..." he laughs, indicating that he doesn't really think of himself in those terms. "We received a little word from our bretheren in the city that you were on your way, so I was sent out to meet up with you. Give you a little test. No bad. Not bad at all."

He turns and motions with his head for Skarg to follow him, and the two of you begin progressing further into the forest. "What we do now is get you settled in, and then you put yourself in Zendarrill's hands. You want to learn about the outdoors... heh heh... where our camp is will be the end-all-and-be-all of that." The two of you continue walking for several miles inland, making casual small-talk... until finally Corren stops and makes an animal call. When Skargash hears several animal replies, he looks up into the trees and sees quite a number of wooden buildings built across the branches of the high jungle trees. Skarg immediately thinks that this could very well be what elven communities in Aerenal must be like.

 

[DEFCON 1]

"And how is my favorite attendant today? I assume my items are waiting?"

The woman's eyes light up immediately at Ari's light flirt, and she moves back to one of the tables and lifts a package. "You are all set, handsome. Everything made and looking good. I hope this gives you what you need."

Ari takes the package and pays the bill, then returns back to the inn to check everything out and prepare and clean all of his items and clothes for the expedition that leaves in the morning.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Khalia returns to the Ghallandran inn, takes in a meal, then goes upstairs to prepare for the excusion in the morning. After checking and double-checking all of her items and equipment, she cleans up and then goes to sleep.

 

[DEFCON 1]

It takes some doing, but Jango is finally able to make his way up the shaft and climb up out of the tunnels. It is still the middle of the night... a dark but clear night. As he stands above the crevasse breathing heavily, he hears a squawk and looks up to see Griot flying about. The eagle banks once then flies down to Jango's level. The bird circles the elf a few times... almost as though it doesn't want to land... but finally it does in fact drop onto it's familiar spot on Jango's shoulder.

Jango begins making his way back to town... knowing that dealing with his parents will be one of the things on his agenda in the morning. As he walks, he tries to think of excuses he can give to them... when suddenly the voice breaks in.

"You needn't worry about them, Jango. You do not have to deal with them. Return to town... then find a boat. A boat traveling north. We will go see another that can help you wth your mark. Make your mark grow. In power. In size. I've done all that I can... but I know of others who can teach you further. Go. Find us a boat. Let us go north."

And after quite a while, Jango finally returns to the gates of Seawell.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The next morning, Ari and Khalia both get up, load up, and check out of their respective inns. They cross the city easily and arrive at the Silver Flame temple within a quart-hour of each other. They both walk into the pavillion in back and see a solid 60+ people standing around, all dressed for martial activity, and most all wearing the symbol of the Silver Flame around their necks.

Elder Nevillom cannot be seen, but both Ari and Khalia notice the large shifter female, Cerril Maise, standing at attention in full plate armor near the doors into the temple. Nearby Khalia recognizes Tod Ellston, he himself wearing his worn studded leather. The cleric Gerrold is up front as well, and the rest are various men and women of all ages... including a warforged wielding a very large maul and his body carved with the symbol of the Flame.

Khalia knows that she is part of the command squad for the main force, and Ari remembers the shifter telling him that he would be part of the scout force. But where they each are supposed to go right now is a mystery. For now, the two are content to just stand in the people's midst until they decide to make a move somewhere, or wait for Elder Nevillom.

 

[drothgery]

Finding Ari in the crowd, she stops to talk to him before the Elder arrives. "I'd heard that some mercenaries had been hired through House Deneith; but I didn't truly expect to see you here." She said.

 

[stonegod]

Ari smiles at seeing the familiar face, and laughs at her comment. "You should have seen the other jobs," he quips. "Ah, but really, this is what I do for a living---hunting monsters. Of course, I think these monsters may just be the unshaven rabblerouser variety, but its still pay. And in the off chance the monsters are real..." His grin takes on a more hard edge, and his shadowy panther swishes its tail. "Well, I do enjoy my job."

 

[drothgery]

Ari smiles at seeing the familiar face, and laughs at her comment. "You should have seen the other jobs," he quips. "Ah, but really, this is what I do for a living---hunting monsters. Of course, I think these monsters may just be the unshaven rabblerouser variety, but its still pay. And in the off chance the monsters are real..." His grin takes on a more hard edge, and his shadowy panther swishes its tail. "Well, I do enjoy my job."

"I thought the Elder was chasing at shadows when I read the summons, but I spent most of yesterday going over reports and cross-referencing them with the Church's archives here." Khalia says, giving the monster hunter a quick summary of what her research resulted in.

"I am not entirely sure what is going on, but I think it more than a few shifters who would not accept the Flame." She concludes.

 

[stonegod]

Ari arches an eyebrow during the Lady's description, alternately amazed that someone could speak for so long on such subjects and impressed at her fact finding. When she finishes, he shakes his head and whistles. "Well then, looks like things are going to get surprising. Better be prepared then." He looks about the crowd a moment. "When is this show getting started anyway? They did say 'bright and early."

 

[drothgery]

"I was told the same." The Archivist said. "I am attached to the command staff, but they gave no more detail than that."