Wildwood Red in Tooth and Claw II [IC]

[Voadam]

Firblain takes NR4ZN's offered hand and the warzoder helps him to his feet. "Thanks, Ennar." He barks to the priest "Lead on then." Thelso begins to lead the party further along the trails.

Soon the village proper comes into view with its wooden structures organized and divided by function, sleeping, crafting, food preparation, and storage areas all in their places. The sounds of Dover villagers going about their activities is punctuated by the hails of some dover asking in the barking language after the still wounded Firblain and his news, some asking about Viktor, though they leave off when Thelso or Firblain say they are heading to speak to the King.

The party heads to the King's audience hall where he and the Queen reside. King Alagor's rich voice growls out "Firblain, Ennar, what has happened?" The large german sheperd-like canine humanoid dover King stands taller than the dwarf but a touch shorter than Weylan. Thick brown fur covers his body and he gestures with delicately structured hands bearing dexterous digits. Despite the bipedal posture, clawless hand, and regal presence there is an underlying animalistic nature to the dover presence accentuated by the jaws and teeth of a lupine predator.

Standing in his audience chamber King Alagor looks regal, a leader loved and trusted by his people. The silver furred Queen sitting behind him however looks both predatory and protective, she has the air of one ready to spring instantly to action. Her spear leans against her throne within easy reach. On the other side of her throne stands a young dover Thelso recognizes as Sentelle, the aprentice of the druid Zallon who is currently away on his own business. Also in attendance are various dover elders, a few of royal dover progeny, and the fostered elven youth.

Firblain goes first relating his tale of Weylan's appearance followed by the goblin attack upon him, the crash site, Inamar's appearance, how both humans speak human common, hearing the noise, how he and Viktor crept out but a great green scaled dragon sensed them anyway, roared at them, and blasted Firblain with a cloud that burned. The last thing he remembers was seeing Viktor attempting to lead the dragon away from the route the others would need to take to make it back to the village.

The king turns to Weylan and Inamar and says in common "

The King then asks each of you to relate your stories as well for him to consider. He speaks directly to Weylan and Inamar in common. "I am King Alagor chief of the Silber Dover territory and this is Queen Celon. Know that you are in the land known as Wildwood on the world of the Forge. Most seeds whether individuals or nations fall to predators shortly after arrival as the Land is full of beasts and dragons ever on the lookout for victims. However, those who adapt to the wilderness may thrive under the laws of tooth and claw.

Within the forests marked by our blaze the Dover people are the top predators and our territory is a haven for our people as we maintain dominance over our hunting grounds. There are many beasts and various peoples within Wildwood to learn about from bears and gnolls to elves and dragons. If you are willing to abide under my authority, observe our laws, and work to the good of this village I offer you the hand of friendship and an opportunity to learn of the Land you now reside in and how you can make a place for yourself in it.

Know that Firblain and Viktor are full members of the Silber Dover. I am interested in what happened to my people as well as the story of your own tales. You are not the first of the race of Man to come to us, though with Viktor missing none remain.

 

[chakken98]

Once Thelso and the others stand before the Kind and Queen, Thelso will bow accordingly to the Dover royalty, and as well offer a small bow the Druid apprentice Sentelle. He then listens to Firblain’s tale of the dragon and await any questions that may be directed to him.

 

[Pyrex]

"If you are willing to abide under my authority, observe our laws, and work to the good of this village I offer you the hand of friendship and an opportunity to learn of the Land you now reside in and how you can make a place for yourself in it.

Clasping his right fist with his left hand in front of his heart, Weylan bows. "Those who found me spoke well of your fair rule and good people. So long as I reside in these lands I will accept your rule and act in accordance with the interests of its people."

Know that Firblain and Viktor are full members of the Silber Dover. I am interested in what happened to my people as well as the story of your own tales. You are not the first of the race of Man to come to us, though with Viktor missing none remain.

Weylan relays his perspective on the events since his arrival then allows Inamar a chance to do the same.

 

[Shayuri]

Inamar finds herself fighting the hardest fight of her life there in the village green of the Silber Dover. Not a fight against monsters or ruffians, but against her own mind. Now more than ever, she wrestled with the gibbering, hysterical certainty that this was a dream; the construct of a mind floating forever in limbo.

Talking dogs that knew magic. Friendly golems. Conveniently being 'rescued' by a mad god. Suddenly possessing strange magical powers.

It had all the earmarks of some weirdly imaginative self-indulgent fantasy. Even the strange, burning -reality- of this world seemed out of place. The incredible sensitivity of her senses that even now burned her brain. Could it just be a fertile and very motivated imagination?

And honestly, everything that had happened up until now, she'd been okay with. Strange and frightning, but in very alien ways. The Dover though. They were -dogs-. Intelligent talking -dogs-. Somehow their very familiarity shone a harsh spotlight on their differences, making them seem implausible in the extreme. More so than magic crystal tubes, or men with blades of energy poking from their hands.

She looked at her own hands then. Blades or blasts.

Abruptly Inamar realized that the voice of the king had fallen silent, and that Weylan and everyone was looking at her. Oops.

She lifted her voice and said, "I'm new here. Really, -really- new here. I need friends, and if doing what you say and helping you folks out is how I'll get some...then yeah, I'll do all that." She clears her throat. "As for my story...there's not much to it yet. My name's Inamar. I used to sleep where I could and sing for my bread. I was kidnapped by an old man; a magus, who did some kind of spell or ritual or something on me. He changed me, and I'm just starting to figure out how and why."

Inamar takes a deep breath then, a little surprised at how...good it felt to actually talk about it.

"And he wasn't done yet either, but before he could do any more, there were sounds of fighting below, and an explosion. He seemed to panic and threw me into a little...room of some sort. Then he cast another spell...and everything disappeared. I was alone, drifting through this endless grey fog... I don't know for how long. Then the ravens came."

She shrugs.

"The rest you guys know."

 

[Voidrazor]

NR4ZN comes to one knee before the king. "If I may your grace, I would like to add something. The goblins apparently arrived at the site before we did. It is likely that they are still on the ship, transported to another area by still active shipboard systems. They are still unlikely to be able to comprehend the technology on the vessel, but where they to do so, it could spell disaster. Fortunately, our new companion Lord Weylan has some facility for interacting with the ship's psionic technology."

 

[Voadam]

The King considers your words then intones some words of power while making certain arcane gestures. He then answers NR4ZN, his words understandable to all "That is a concern Ennar. We must first learn though whether the dragon is passing through or whether it is establishing a territory. If it is establishing a territory then we must learn about its strengths before sending anyone to the site. Dragons are beings of might, both terrible in tooth and claw, but also in magic. Green dragons are particularly known for their mastery of enchantments and for binding the minds of others into their servitude. I do not wish to lose you or any others to it Ennar. From what Firblain related it seems hostile to the goblins so that is one mark in our favor. If it has moved on though I agree, I will want you to go and claim the remains and recover what lore we can about your crafters and stop the goblins from despoiling and looting the remains."

The Queen says to the King in Dover "Dragons are also known for their sharp senses. I will send Jeffre and Effrey, none match them for stealth.

The King nods approvingly and turns back to the party. "For now rest up and be welcome in the territory of the Dover. Firblain, Ennar, and Thelso, I ask that you see to these new seeds and teach them of our ways and of our land, they have accepted the friendship of the Silber Dover. I would hear more about these affinities and powers later. The Land changes people and you must take some time to learn how it has and is changing you. Firblain can teach you our language and Thelso our ways. Weylan, your affinity for the lost relics of Ennar's people will be valuable should we be able to regain them, and Inamar we will help you learn of this magus' legacy. Shortly we will have a feast and introduce you to other members of the Silber Dovers so that they will know you are our guests. I bid you welcome among us as guests.

Firblain answers the King, "Aye milord." accepting the charge.

 

[chakken98]

Bowing once again the customary Dover fashion,"Yes Milord, I will see to teaching these new seed our way."

Turning to Ennar ,"As I am aware they do not understand our language will you translate for me" He then will turn to Weylan and Inamar ,"I am Thelso Cleric of the Goddess Kerala the Huntress, Weylan, Inamar when you are ready I will answer your questions about the lands of the Silber Dover, as well as any about the Dover race. But until that time rest as your journey's to these lands must have been taxing.

 

[Pyrex]

Weylan spends some time with Thelso and Ennar learning about Dover society and learning the dover language.

 

[Shayuri]

"More than ready," Inamar agrees with Thelso. "Like, how long have you guys been trapped here? What sort of things have you had to fight? Is the whole world jungle like this?" she pauses, then adds, "Maybe we should work on langauge first."

 

[Voadam]

The new seeds are brought to a guest lodge where they settle in. Firblain stays to teach them the dover language and they find that picking up the language is easier than they thought it would be. Once they set their minds to it, they find learning new skills comes easily here and they find themselves adapting.

They learn a bit of the land they are in, the continent of Wildwood, filled with wilderness from ocean shore to ocean shore, of the many predators of the land, and of the land's bounty in life and power.

They learn of the paucity of metals or concentrated humanoid populations and the dependance upon hunting and gathering from nature.

There is time to acclimate and come into their own here, feeling the potentials of what can be done in this world. There is a sense that power is within your grasp with every breath you take, to be shaped and controlled as you will.

Inamar has the opportunity to explore her magics, learning to call upon the blasts at will and as she practices her facility and control with the magic becomes more precise.

Once Firblain has taught the two seeds the dover language he leaves their instruction to the other two and joins the queen's rangers to share first hand his experiences with the dragon. He comes back irregularly reporting that the dragon has established a territory and killed more goblins who tried to enter it. The dwarf has volunteered to be on the patrols staying out of the dragon's territory but on the lookout for goblin activity either heading in or going out of the dragon's territory. The truce with the goblins holds for their respective territories and limited trade continues, but the lands around the dragon's newly claimed territory is not covered by the treaties.