Storyteller Shadow |
Thank you Analin! For some reason I just could not find them yesterday, will update the thread when I get home tonight.
Fiallain |
I assume this is far from being the only maple tree in the area..
"This path appears to be not often used, not here anyway... There is a pool of water to the west if you need to refill your skins." She nods slightly at Merdrith's suggestion. "I think marking the tree in some fashion would be advisable."
Storyteller Shadow |
Oh yes Fia, it is a forest of mostly maples. I will update the thread again later tonight.
Storyteller Shadow |
The Forest
Landa Perception 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Landa and Ryland confirm Fia's suspicion, this section of the Forest is either forgotten or the locals simply have moved on from it. The only tracks are those of small game, o large predators such as wolves have entered this forest, at least not recently.
Chen marks the tree where the portal is currently located.
Kodo steps through the doorway embracing the source, he wrestles with the power growing in his breast holding it as the feeling spreads through his limbs making his senses sharper. His ind keenly aware that to embrace the source fr a man is to slowly destroy himself. If what Althea said of the other is true... no you refuse to think about the issue further and hold the source pushing negative thoughts to the back of your mind.
Merdrith begins heading East, "Come his way, it is a few miles and the walk should be pleasant enough".
Landa turns to Analin, "Shall I stay close or shall I scout the surrounding area, there may be danger lurking just off the path. after all, the explanation of exactly where we are is a bit vague at best".
What is your marching order? Merdrith will be leading as she is the one who knows where she is going.
Storyteller Shadow |
The Room of Doors
Your group sees the companions move away from the door to the East, do any of you step through or wait back here in the room?
Currently Litheene, Rhoekk, Ryvin, Keelix and Amorial are left behind.
Amorial Suth |
Amorial turns to Rhoekk, "Well Friend Rhoekk, we had might as well start reading no?"
Amorial sits and begins reading a Tome which discusses Ta'veren.
He looks up briefly,
Analin Mendiana |
Analin nods at Landa. "I don't expect you to nursemaid me, Landa. You'll know if I need you. Go on." Her voice was fond, and she pats him on the shoulder as she turns to the others. The blonde Aes Sedai catches up to Merdrith to walk down the path beside the former damane.
"So where is it we are, Merdrith?"
Keelix Andren |
Alathea Neribar |
Alathea follows Analin to join her at Merdrith's side. "It is beautiful here, Merdrith. How long has it been since you were here last?"
Alathea will be right behind Merdrith and Analin in the marching order, assuming that the paths through the woods are too narrow to walk alongside them.
Storyteller Shadow |
Analin nods at Landa. "I don't expect you to nursemaid me, Landa. You'll know if I need you. Go on." Her voice was fond, and she pats him on the shoulder as she turns to the others. The blonde Aes Sedai catches up to Merdrith to walk down the path beside the former damane.
"So where is it we are, Merdrith?"
Landa stalks off into the woods along the path where the rest of you walk.
Perception 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15Merdrith smiles, "We are in Arafel, north of Shol Arbela, the City of Ten Thousand Bells. In my youth I spent a great deal of time in this forest amongst these trees. The Blight is much farther to the North though it was not uncommon to face and fight Trollocs that would wander too far from their barren lands. This of course was a ling time ago and I cannot even know if my childhood home is even still standing".
You may walk alongside them Alathea, the path is wide enough in this portion of the Forest.
"I have not been here in nearly 60 years. In their old age my parents would visit Tar Valon, my duties kept me away from this place... It will be nice to see it one last time before, well before who knows what will happen".
She continues to walk at a leisurely pace down the path to the East.
Fiallain |
"Arafel? That is more or less near Fal Dara is it not? Is this what your homeland is like Ryland?" Fia asks softly as she walks alongside the wolfbrother several paces behind the others. She occasionally glances over at him, though her eyes constantly rove through the trees, looking for danger.
Storyteller Shadow |
The Forest
I am assuming the following Marching order:
Alathea, Analin, Merdrith [Front]
Zira [Second]
Ryland, Fia [Third]
Chen, Kodo [Rear]
Landa [Scouting off the path]
Let me know if you disagree or wish to re-order.
Storyteller Shadow |
The Forest
Merdrith falls into quiet contemplation as the group continues to follow her down the path in silence.
It all seems quiet along the trail. There are few sounds as the small game has few places to hide due to the trees thick canopy keeping the underbrush at a minimum, no sunlight gives little chance for smaller pant life to flourish here.
Analin Mendiana |
Analin continues walking along beside Merdrith (and Alathea?), all Aes Sedai poise. She shows no signs of anxiety or discomfort.
Merdrith smiles, "We are in Arafel, north of Shol Arbela, the City of Ten Thousand Bells. In my youth I spent a great deal of time in this forest amongst these trees. The Blight is much farther to the North though it was not uncommon to face and fight Trollocs that would wander too far from their barren lands. This of course was a ling time ago and I cannot even know if my childhood home is even still standing".
"I have not been here in nearly 60 years. In their old age my parents would visit Tar Valon, my duties kept me away from this place... It will be nice to see it one last time before, well before who knows what will happen".
The blonde Aes Sedai nods. "I spent a great deal of time in Kandor since gaining the shawl, along the Blight. We often saw raids almost as far south as Chachin. Shadowspawn wouldn't dare the city, but in some years the raids would come so frequently that you could almost think it was an organized effort." She shakes her head. "Of course none of it was anything like we have now."
RIZZENMAGNUS |
annnnddd.. im back
Kodokura, at the rear next to the hulking giant Chen, glances along the trail, taking in the sights of the trees. Stopping next to one, he reaches up and pulls a leaf from a tree. While looking a healthy green from afar, up close, this leaf looks a sickly green, almost like pus. Flipping it over, he sees a strange liquid begin to ooze out of the leaf.
BAH! THE GREEN CREEP! Kodokura shouts loudly in warning, causing everyone to turn and stare at him as kodokura drops the leaf to the forest floor.
The Blight isn't a few miles from here. It IS here. he sweeps his arm wide, taking in the surroundings.
Fia, still holding Rylands hand, turns and looks at Kodokura as he speaks. But, as she turns, her eyes catch the faintest glitter of something in the ground, below a couple of leaves.
Stooping down, she picks up a narrow piece of metal. Holding it up to the light, she denotes a substandard quality to the piece, even for her untrained eyes. Holding it up to Ryland for inspection, she gives him a questioning look.
Ryland, takes a look at the item. I'm not sure he says with a wary glance about the woods.
Alathea Neribar |
Alathea surrenders to saidar at Kodokura's cry. Her voice calm, she says, "We must return to the doorway. Call Landa back, Analin Sedai. The less time we spend here, the better, yes?"
Fiallain |
Fia squeezes Ryland's hand then releases him as her hand moves to rest instead on the hilt of her belt knife. "Yes. We should return. If Kodo is right, this is no longer a pleasant stroll. If we are to continue, it should be after conferring with the others."
Analin Mendiana |
Analin does not immediately embrace the Source, but does mentally urge Landa to return to the group. "Calm yourselves. Landa and I have been in the Blight many times. It is survivable if you keep your head. If we truly are only just north of Shol Arbela, this is either not my world or the Blight has expanded incredibly rapidly. Either way, I would like to investigate further."
RIZZENMAGNUS |
having been interrupted by chen and rylands outburst, rhoekk finally sits down and begins to read his book, tied to the Horn.
briefly skimming the book, he sees that the book is filled with descriptions of various acts of heroes from throughout history, including the myths and legends of earlier Ages. But at the end of each recounting of a tale, the author doesnt define what the deeds where, but what the person looked like. Finding this conjecture to be more interesting, Rhoekk begins to skip the recounting and instead reads the description. a tall woman of impressive strength., a dark skinned man, preferring a hammer and spike, a beautiful maiden, as deadly as she is pretty, but the list continues. it gives supposed physical features, tall with blonde hair, short and ugly, firm and fit, walks with a limp, athletic and blue eyed. But one description catches his eye. a common sort of man, non descript, black hair and brown eye, is as much a hero as a coward. At the most critical of moments he will either willingly give his life to defend that what he cares for, or he will cower and die and unpleasant death.
rhoekk, give me a base intelligence roll
is there anything else to discuss in the room?
in the forest
Analin speaks true. We are Aes Sedai. THis is truly my homeland, and as such, I too would like to investigate how the Blight has come so far south so fast. We are but 45 miles north of Shol Arbela, and another 100 miles from the Blight itself.... Merdrith stops speaking and then turns to Analin.
Do you remember in Sarin Sedai's lecture on the Blight and it's advancement? She gave it to us prior us being raised to the shawl. She hypothesized that the Blight does grow in spurts, a part stretching farther out, and if it cannot take hold, then it retreats until it regains its strength. Perhaps this is one of those spurts? If this is true, then it is our duty to investigate this immediately and warn the locals of what has happened.
RIZZENMAGNUS |
just wanted to remind everyone that the posting stipulation is still in effect. some of you have been pretty good and active with discussion, others have done good postings but are a bit lengthy between posts. and, as always, RL comes first and if an issues comes up, just let me know in the Discussion page.
Amorial Suth |
Ryvin Morilan |
"I'm not sure that could happen," Ryvin says, frowning and tapping her lower lip. "The Dark One is the Dark One, the thing that wants to destroy the entire Wheel. If he breaks free in one world, he'll try to break through to all of the others, won't he?"
Amorial Suth |
Alathea Neribar |
Alathea nods, but does not release the One Power. "Very well, Aes Sedai," she says, nodding at both Analin and Merdrith. "I don't like thinking that I am in the Blight, but if you feel we are safe, then we are. But I do think that we should at least let the others know what we do, yes?"
Keelix Andren |
Keelix simply watches the conversation. These philosophical discussions about the multiple worlds always seem so inane to him, and leave him with little to say.
Fiallain |
"It is less a matter of fear and more one of using your head and good sense before needlessly charging blindly ahead. I will go back and tell the others what is happening."
Ryland of Fal Dara |
Ryland frowns as he begins to inspect the area. "I have patrolled in the blight before so I am not with out knowledge. There are no wolves in the area, this concerns me greatly. We should remove ourselves from here. We have no need to be here other than curiosity."
Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Fiallain |
Not waiting for any objections from the Aes Sedai, Fia heads back to the portal and steps through.
Fia steps back into the room, locking eyes briefly with Rhoekk, then with the others before speaking. "Beyond that portal is Analin's homeland, and the Blight. Apparently it is now a hundred miles further south than it should be. Though some of us have objected, you should know that the Aes Sedai are likely determined to set off to discover the cause and to warn the locals."
Analin Mendiana |
Analin nods at Merdrith. "I find it hard to imagine that such a surge could have escaped the notice of the border forts, but yes, I remember the theory. Is there a village nearby, Merdrith?"
The blonde Aes Sedai gives Alathea a small, approving smile in response to her suggestion. "A sound suggestion, Alathea. We should keep them apprised of our situation."
Keelix Andren |
Keelix turns to Fia as she comes back through the door, "Thank you for letting us know, Fiallain." He turns to Ryvin and Amorial, "Though I am loath to leave them to move on without us, I do not think we should all leave this room." A thoughtful look crosses his face then he speaks directly to Ryvin, "Should we inform her as well?"
Keelix Andren |
Keelix turns back to Fia, "Watch the Zira and Merdrith closely. I have heard Merdrith telling Zira that she would still serve Zira, and that she would spy for her."
RIZZENMAGNUS |
the forest
zira, silent for so long, steps up to a similar tree and pulls off a leaf.
This is..? Blight was it? Looks like a simple disease to the trees. You all put too much emphasis on a common foliage disease. My nana told me stories of how there was a Blight in the Seanchan lands, but it was burnt out long ago. Perhaps you should do the same here?
Merdrith looks to say something, but instead waits til Zira stops speaking. There was a village not to far south east of here. my old house is along the trail that leads to the village.
RIZZENMAGNUS |
you look at the local foliage here and see that it is indeed affected by the Blights taint. But you notice that from where you stand, the symptoms appear to grow in strength away from you, towards the way that Merdrith has pointed towards her old home and the village trail
Fiallain |
Fia does not react with much surprise, if any, to the revelation. She simply nods. "Well, this is not entirely unexpected. Merdrith always seemed to me far too... eager in her chains for her servitude to be unwilling. It must go deeper than simply with the adam. I will keep an eye on them and keep them from causing us any mischief, if I can.
I agree that it would be good if at least a couple of us remained behind here, just in case. I do not know how far into this forest the Aes Sedai will want to go before they are satisfied, but I will have them back within, say eight hours." She grins mirthlessly. "How hard can it be to herd wetlanders and Aes Sedai, after all? That will give them four hours to find whatever it is they are after and another four to return. If you haven't heard from us by then, something has gone wrong."
Ryvin Altessar |
Ryvin gives Fiallain a very sober look.
"Do the Aiel keep cats in the Wastes?" she asks. "If so, imagine herding cats. Prickly ones. Think of that when 'herding' Aes Sedai, only worse; cats won't tell you that you're being an idiot for not letting them go where they want to the whole time, and they'll at least pretend to be obedient for food."
The Ebou Dari rubs her temples.
"I'll wait in this room. I've got a book to read, I'll keep myself entertained. But eight hours... Light. If the Blight is there, there are bound to be Shadowspawn. I hope Merdrith was not of the Black Ajah before she became damane..."
Fiallain |
Fia grins with agreement at Ryvin's description of Aes Sedai as cats before turning serious once more.
"We can make it six hours, or four if that is preferable over the eight. Honestly, I do not see what the point of going further at all is for us. The locals are likely to know far more about it than we just stumbling upon it. But then this isn't my world or my people and I would probably feel differently if it were. Name the length of time and I will make it so."
At Amorial's question, she states grimly. "Then we pray that my sister is correct in that the key she holds will open it from the other side. If not, then we are all about to have a very bad day."
Ryvin Altessar |
"Make it one hour, tops," Ryvin suggests. "And if they whine, tell them the mad Ebou Dari Wilder with the sword was twisting your arm."
She grins.
"They'll believe that fine, I'd say. I'll be keeping an eye on the doorway in any case. I might be able to open it from this side if necessary."