Perhaps I can gather clues elsewhere, the Witch Hunter General says. My thanks for your time, and answers, Great Erl.
He nods and leaves the grove.
You are welcome defender of the faith. Ware the pale girl. She is closer than she has been. We sense her like a canker.
You are welcome defender of the faith. Ware the pale girl. She is closer than she has been. We sense her like a canker.
"Oh goody, cryptic. Hmf. I started that whole 'cryptic' thing, before it was the cool 'new' thing."
A man appears, sitting in the braches of one of the ancient elms. He appears to be waiting for someone or something.
A man appears, sitting in the braches of one of the ancient elms. He appears to be waiting for someone or something.
"Say, don't I know you?"
A man appears, sitting in the braches of one of the ancient elms. He appears to be waiting for someone or something."Say, don't I know you?"
Yes.
The warden feels a strong presence in his mind
Greetings Warden. You are here to ward the threads from the menace of the Black?
Yes.A man appears, sitting in the braches of one of the ancient elms. He appears to be waiting for someone or something."Say, don't I know you?"
"Hmm. Could you be one of the Servants of the Board? I thought they were massacred."
I have no more power over the Black than most. I do have the ability to affect Board Energy and its use in Threads. I protect Thread Integrity, as set down by the Thread Giver. I have been assigned to several threads.
"Hmm. Could you be one of the Servants of the Board? I thought they were massacred."Yes.A man appears, sitting in the braches of one of the ancient elms. He appears to be waiting for someone or something."Say, don't I know you?"
Servant? A strange term...
Perhaps summoned is a better term...
"Hmm. So you are not a member of the Servants, but you serve the Board? Interesting...and bad. Very very bad." KC rolls away from the Board Warden.
Perhaps summoned is a better term...
The grove sighs
You have come not a moment too soon Warden. A force rises that corrupts the very fabric of the threads. We feel her siphoning off power as she progresses.
Perhaps summoned is a better term...The grove sighs
You have come not a moment too soon Warden. A force rises that corrupts the very fabric of the threads. We feel her siphoning off power as she progresses.
Perhaps it is that Power that has manifested me...
"Hmm. So you are not a member of the Servants, but you serve the Board? Interesting...and bad. Very very bad." KC rolls away from the Board Warden.
Why do you shirk, Brother?
Why do you shirk, Brother?"Hmm. So you are not a member of the Servants, but you serve the Board? Interesting...and bad. Very very bad." KC rolls away from the Board Warden.
"I'm not your brother." The orb says, sounding agitated. "I have to go."
He vanishes.
The grove rustles
You will have to forgive the orb for his rudness. He has suffered at the hands of agents of the Black. He is tainted with anger.
The grove rustles
You will have to forgive the orb for his rudness. He has suffered at the hands of agents of the Black. He is tainted with anger.
I sensed fear...
The leaves around the Warden rustle, but no wind is in evidence
Anger and fear are as root and branch, parts of the same whole.
The leaves around the Warden rustle, but no wind is in evidence
Anger and fear are as root and branch, parts of the same whole.
Anger is the branch, while fear is the hidden root. Yes, this is true.
ThreadGiver, what Rules hold sway here?
The leaves rustle
We hold with the Green here Warden. This forest is dedicated to Yggdrasil, the World Ash.
In the distance the Warden can see the monumental wood root of Yggdrasil soaring into the sky.
We are on peaceholy ground. You may hunt, but only for sustenance, never sport. You may set a fire with fallen branches, but you must never cut a living tree. Agents of the Black are not allowed here, but they have been known to flout that law...
The leaves rustle as the Great Erl chuckles
All those who serve the Balance, the Board and the Green are welcome.
The leaves rustle
We hold with the Green here Warden. This forest is dedicated to Yggdrasil, the World Ash.
In the distance the Warden can see the monumental wood root of Yggdrasil soaring into the sky.
We are on peaceholy ground. You may hunt, but only for sustenance, never sport. You may set a fire with fallen branches, but you must never cut a living tree. Agents of the Black are not allowed here, but they have been known to flout that law...
The leaves rustle as the Great Erl chuckles
All those who serve the Balance, the Board and the Green are welcome.
So, the Thread Laws are Set. So, the Boundary is Marked.
Warden, what is thy task?
Warden, what is thy task?
Task? Another strange term. Please explain.
Warden, what is thy task?Task? Another strange term. Please explain.
The Emperor mulls it over, then offers various explanations.
The Emperor mulls it over, then offers various explanations.Warden, what is thy task?Task? Another strange term. Please explain.
My purpose is to be where I am needed.
Suddenly a strange music floats in the air
A large form comes crashing through the forest. The group can hear the branches snapping and the cries of small woodland animals as the thing appears.
A massive suit of black armor comes into view. Red flame burns from its closed visor eye slits. An enormous greatsword is held in its mailed fist, its blade glowing green energy with runes cycling endlessly within its pellucid depths.
Those in the Grove can see three large gemstones affixed to his spiky helm.
Interesting.
An elven woman garbed in woodland clothing and with a regal manner arrives in the grove. She speaks in the sylvan tongue.
I heard this place discussed in Sunny G's casino, which I have been looking over, and thought that I'd stop by and take a look.
She looks appreciatively around at the trees and wildlife, then back at the emperor and board warden.
And you two would be?
She leaves the invitation for them to introduce themselves hanging in the air.
Edit:
The elven woman looks in annoyance at the Steel Tsar as he arrives.
Winds swirl around E7 as he changes form. In his place stands a large werebear in leather armor. The claws and teeth of the hybrid are made of metal.
Begone, Foul Construct!
The forest whips as if there is a gale. Clouds pile up in the sky, rapidly blotting out the sun. Rain begins to fall, faster and faster.
A loud voice booms out from the Grove, mentally and sonically
Roots begin to pop out of the ground. Trees begin to mob the Tsar. He slices through them like a knife through warm butter. Animals from the forest: Boar, bears and elk rush him, only to be cut down. Lightning bolts strike him, Saint Elmo's fire crackles along his black armor as he carves a pitiless path through the defenders.
The Warden observes the construct closely, looking beyond its metal skin.
The elven woman looks perturbed by this arrival, and perhaps a little alarmed, but begins to loop her fingers through spell-casting gestures, plucking an ancient length of ebony, some six feet in length from the air and starting to twirl it end over end.
The abomination laughs, a sound like a cat in a Cuisinart with a hundred rusty nails
The Tsar spins his blade and cuts a hole in the fabric of the thread, walking through to somewhere else in a pulse of green energy. The hole seals behind him. The music fades away.
A streak of energy flies through the air to burst and fade where the Tsar just exited the thread. The elven woman abruptly stops twirling the staff. She seems to sag slightly in apparent relief.
Is it genuinely gone? It seemed to know you? she looks at the other two.
The elven woman clutches her staff in her right hand, whilst weaving the other through the air, in the gestures of a sending.
I have done what I can to try to alert a pair of very capable seeming women I met yesterday at the casino. They struck me to be the sorts who might revel in this sort of peril and adventure. Their names were Lynora and Alaina, if I recall correctly.
If you have not made their acquaintence before, they might make useful comrades to you, in whatever struggle it is which is taking place.
The skys clear as the Grove regains its normal calm
An agent of the Black. One that can travel without disturbing the Green by his passege.
Even the normally calm tones of the Great Erl seem to be shaken
Interesting.
An elven woman garbed in woodland clothing and with a regal manner arrives in the grove. She speaks in the sylvan tongue.
I heard this place discussed in Sunny G's casino, which I have been looking over, and thought that I'd stop by and take a look.
She looks appreciatively around at the trees and wildlife, then back at the emeperor and board warden.
And you two would be?
We Ents are Guardians of the One.
Who might you be? You are more than you appear. The Earth Sight is strong here.
The Warden seems to consider the question of who he is.
Warden. You have manifested because of this breach of the Balance. The Black has gained Board powers. The gems upon the Herald's helm are millenial gems. He wears three, and they feed him concentrated Board power. His mistress must as well. They feed off the very fabric of the boards. They prosper if threads die.
The forests shakes
Warden. The Place of Winds is in peril. The Oracle has fallen.
We Ents are Guardians of the One.
Who might you be? You are more than you appear. The Earth Sight is strong here.
An elven princess, and events like this, I must say, is why I prefer to try to stay OUT of the fights of others. I had thought that places such as the casino and this grove would be safe from intrusion, places where I could relax for a while and watch the constant changing of the worlds; instead, I find that... She trails off, abruptly, seeming frightened and annoyed that she is frightened.
I intended no disrespect, and I think it would be wisest to say no more, and to take my leave. I have done what I can to bring you aid. I do not wish for a part in whatever counsels which you must take now, following such an intrusion.She gestures and the staff disappears into air.
As they travel towards the Grove, LJ's wounds stabilize. They do not yet heal, but they do stop reopening.
The Warden observes the construct closely, looking beyond its metal skin.
Warden:
** spoiler omitted **
On her way out of the grove, Nirellia sees the new arrivals - has a chance to observe their state - and pauses for a moment; but then she grimaces, shakes her head, and hurries from the grove.
Edit:
Don't get personally involved in this, it's not your war, she can perhaps be heard chastising herself in Sylvan as she departs.