He has moved back from the Fae table to an alter of some kind that was in the shadows until he approached it. The alter is at least 40 feet high and wide. He takes the steps up to the top of the alter. There he strikes the alter with his Fae blades gaining everyone's attention.
In a loud bellowing voice which seems amplified, likely from the alter he says, "The Hunt is at an end! The blessings of death will be upon those who choose to accept them. Each noble and court member will not refuse to give a blessing. The king will give first blessings and only to those who dared be Prey in our hunt. To those who were courageous enough to mark themselves come forth." He then steps down from the top of the alter.
Another Fae in dark green attire and with horns of dead beasts sprouting from his back walks towards the alter and shakes hands with him and waits at the base of the alter.
Again in that amplified voice he says, "I present, Bisarane the king of sorrows."
"It is said that the troll pool has regenerative properties, but swimming in it requires you to keep clear of the trolls. They protect as long as we keep them fed, an easy alliance for us." Mordriac explains.
Mordriac breaks from the procession and comes to your glade, he jovially says, "Come join us we travel to Loriam to celebrate, we will share gifts and bless unions and alliances."
Though you may cook for them it is night. Before midnight, Mordriac bows and excuses himself, "I have my other duties with the coming hunt. I will see you out there."
The Cave Hunting Lodge is spartan. Basic furniture of woodcraft and furs are about in sparse quantities. Checking one of the closets you can find bedding, in another you find some dusters and some spare leather boots, the last closet you find spare shirts and breeches. In the kitchen you find a few spices but nothing very strong. There are a few books but the flowing script you do not recognize. There is one large map on one of the walls, on it are other maps pinned with notes in the same strange language that you do not recognize. You do find two fishing poles and a small kit with fishing trimmings within. There is a plumage of feathers around a rack of elk antlers, which you think shows this place as Mordriac's or the Winter Courts, you are not sure.
The second attempt fails as well. No sign of the halfling. Mordriac asks a question, "Typically a god has titles, do you know what titles or other names he might go by?"
"Jeffery I am taking you to the hunting lodge now. It is not in a safe zone but effectively is one in of itself. The Portal pool's area is a very dangerous location, the nagakin fight wit the dire animals that are in the area and that thins the herd from both sides before the fey intervene."
"If you took the boon for you to be apart of the Winter Court you would have to stay for the month, if you chose another to take your place then they would have to stay for the month not you. A god would show the ignorant Fae that the gods are more like us than we wish to know. I am not sure where they are but if they are near the lumberyard at least a few hours travel they should be safe. You know this Baris, if he truely is a god and you know him, wish for him to be here and he will appear shortly. Some nagakin might get that far but unlikely. Most will try to get to the Heartwood."
He nods at your suggestions and replies, "That does sound delightful."
"First off, you will be getting the blessing from the King, not a boon at least not one that would associate us with those mortal loving gods. From what I know the King would bless you give you a boon to sate your needs and if you affront him, stab you in the heart."
"I understand your words and let us talk about what will serve us best. To become the prey for the hunt you will need to bathe in the portal waters. Now it is unstated when and how long you must do so, though you must be present when the portal opens. I would suggest that you wait until all the nagakin come through. It will be most unsafe in the wild outside of the portal area, there is a hunting lodge there that should work best in these efforts. The boon you should ask the King is to let you or another of your choice join the Winter Court as a full fledged Fae. If you could get Orik or Ilnarissa to take that place it might be best so that you are not tied down to the court. Yes you would be stuck in the fortress for at least a month. Then one of them could start swaying opinion to make a treaty with Sanctuary, if only you had brought a god with you that could take your place in the Winter Court."
"I will send my adepts to hunt and start cooking to feed the slothful nobles. Go quickly now!" He sends off his adepts with a wave of his hand as he continues to walk besides you scheming.
"I see you have already been planning this and that should work after you bathe in the portal waters. The waters will crystalize once again as the sun touches them slowly from the other side to where we start. Once bathed you will need to use those tactics to avoid any hunting Fae in the area, at that point I will be still hunting, though I could have several of my adepts stay with you to 'make sure you follow protocol'. After the pool crystalizes over you will have to survive until the hunting horn is blown by me after all the nagakin are dead or driven out of the Heartwood."
You believe it will be clear but perhaps a bit windy.
After an hour or so he asks you a simple question, "Do you have a death wish? I can't stop you but to be prey is suicide, the nagakin will be hunting you and then you will have to evade the fey as well. What are you thinking?" He appears to be smart enough to know that you have a plan.
"I leave you with Thelrilla, certain preparations must be made. Do any of you wish to be Prey for the hunt, if so you will go with me. Good luck and I will see you soon." He states waits for any to go with him then heads off at a quick pace with all of his adepts but Thelrilla.
Mordriac looks at Jeffery quizzically then over at the blue haired Fae obviously leaving the nonstop questions to her. He walks off to begin some training with his massive two bladed weapons.
As Flynn spends time trying to get locations, time, distance from Mordriac. He scowls at the insistent questioning then tells him, "I am fed up with your prattling, you can ask one of my adepts and he or she will focus on answering your questions. Otherwise ask your guide." The last sentence is said with a snear while looking at Orik.
Jeffery:
'He'll even break out his compass (see traits).' I go to check out your trait again to find out your character sheet is missing again. Dude if it is not posted you won't have it. So get it filled out!
Around a bend and up onto a rock outcropping Mordriac points down into a valley of sorts and says, "This is Deadwood, during the last days before winter arrives it is filled with Emerald Devils as they search for mates, but right now it is nearly deserted. The main threats are the Queen Devils and Creeping Vines. Come we will watch your backs as you collect."
"The tree is the Tree of Sorrow, it's owners had a bitter argument and split, the grief was too much and it spread to most of the glade." He says casually.
"The ritual hunt will be happening in three days, it would also be best to free yourself of hunting spiders during that time. Either join the hunt or reside in a safe location. When the moon rises to its apex the Fae and any participants will begin to run in the forest. Most animals will hide during this time as the prey puts out pheromones of fear for most animals and vermin. The Nagakin, our prey, will come forth from the portals between the lake and the forest. Those who can kill a Nagakin can become apart of the Winter Court and gain a blessing from the Fae. Most of the nobles will stay within the keep unless the King commands them to hunt, which he likely will but only at the last moment. If you wish to become apart of the prey, first you will need to bath in a portal pond. If a non-Nagakin prey survives until the morning the king himself would bless you." Mordriac says plainly to show the severity of his words.
Mordriac listens as he absorbs all the information then states, "Life for Fae has always been different than for humans or any mortals. Though I have felt and seen the changes Flynn speaks of. The Winter Court, the nobles who stay in the Loarim become more paranoid of all more daily. We have our roles but not as many ballads as the Summer Court. Thank you for letting me know if this new quarry but that will have to wait until after the ritual hunt, in three days under the full moon. New adepts will be accepted, all are welcome to participate."
"What is your name?" His eyes dimming from the glowing purple to normal eyes, he asks Orik. Once Orik responds Mordriac then says more jovially, "Well met Orick, may your ballads be blessed. Start leading them down this path follow the first deer trail on your right, if you come to the pale tree wait for me there."
