|
Muthadh: "We should be preparing ourselves to leave soon I think." says one of the lorekeepers to a young llieldasine.
Alliandra: "Why is that?"
Muthadh: "The stars are brighter outside of our home... it is as if our Lord wants us to venture outside of our lands to meet others... but the stars also speak of other things. They are pressing us forward, demanding that we seek out their knowledge. Just last evening, a cluster of stars had grown brighter. A new quest has been levied upon us and yet we have barely begun our own..."
Alliandra: "Where is it leading you?" She asks curiously crossing her legs.
Muthadh: she says, “It leads... to the north. We do not have a map of this land... I cannot be certain of anything more."
Alliandra: "Can you not hear the trees? The plants? We can talk to them and they teach us many things." She said and would smile. "So do you need guides going north?"
Muthadh: she nods, “Yes... in truth we need many things but guidance is one we need greatly."
Alliandra: She thinks on it. "Well the younger ones of us can guide you. With the Seeding coming the older ones will be protecting everyone."
Muthadh: "Would it be wise to wait until after the seeding? Will it negatively impact your younger ones?"
Alliandra: "Ummm, well the jungle is inherently dangerous for any of us but we have been trained and know the enclaves on the way north. The elder are well suited to protecting those seeding.
Muthadh: she nods, “Very well, then I don’t suppose it will matter one way or the other will it?"
Alliandra: Shakes her head. "No, though if you want more experienced guides you can wait."
Muthadh: she says, “Our journey is one of discovery and knowledge. That is not limited by age."
Alliandra: She nods. "I can gather up some. I would suggest at least 6 of us to go with. Magic is stronger when used together.
Muthadh: she says, “That is a good idea. Tell them that we should be ready to leave in 10 days’ time."
Alliandra: They are visited by quite a few young llieldasines but 6 seem the most interested. One had lotus flowers, another had cherry blossoms, another had roses, while the fourth had tiny clover flowers, another had black orchids and the last had a flower called Amaranth
Muthadh: They smile at seeing such a variety of pretty flowers.
Alliandra: The six identify themselves as their guides and they can get the Feeling the Black Orchid is the leader. More so because the others defer to her even though she speaks the least. She seems to be their medicinal expert.
Muthadh: there are a total of 9 wispi that will be going on the trip. The eldest of the group will remain in the enclave so that she can learn what she can and teach what she can. Of the 9, none are older than (the wispi equivilent of 20), but their garb is as varied as can be.
Muthadh: The leader of this group is a particularly tall one who has a dancer's grace but a deeper voice suited more for a warrior. She has a large curved sword at her shoulder that is clearly second hand. She offers a handshake and says, “My name is Amora. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
Alliandra: The Orchid comes forward taking her hand. They had Bows of fine make on their backs. They almost looked alive. "I am Orcana. Pleasure to meet you. We all have different specialties to help you on your journey."
Muthadh: she nods,” I wish we could say the same. We all share a dedication to searching for knowledge. Beyond that, we have only the skills that we need. I hope that we are enough to support you as you have so graciously volunteered to support us."
Alliandra: The llieldasine grin. "Well we are young so dedicated our studies to our passions. I am an expert in medicines. Amaranth, in healing magics." The clover one grinned. "I'm great with camouflage as is Rosa here. Lota also does Healing magics and Cherri does Medicine too."
Alliandra: Orcana smiled. "We also have different survival skill sets that will help. When you are ready we can head out."
Muthadh: She says, “We all know how to use illusion magic though I suspect your kind are unable to perceive it for some reason. We all know how to handle and train creatures though with the limited time that we have, calming or hunting them is all we can provide unless we end up stuck somewhere. We can build a camp anywhere - even in this jungle - be it on the ground or in the air. If transportation is an issue, we can make a conveyance to help shoulder our burdens."
Alliandra: They nod. "Well we are suited for travel by land, tree or waterways so which do you prefer?"
Muthadh: "Can we travel atop the canopy?"
Alliandra: They nod. "Yes we can. Though it’s a more twisted route we can do that."
Muthadh: "Twisted how?" she asks curiously
Alliandra: "Well not all the trees can actually support weight, so we would have to navigate around them."
Muthadh: they nod,” I understand. We are light on our feet but you are careful with all the plants of this jungle. We will take pains to be extra careful then."
Alliandra: They nod and they will easily start climbing the nearest trees as if it was second nature to them.
Muthadh: The wispi all admire the beautiful forms and will wait a bit before grabbing their things and summoning their ancestral connection to the air elements. Surrounded by swirling dark energy, they lift into the air and fly up to the canopy tops.
Alliandra: They meet up top and the Llieldasine look around and grin seeing them fly. "Neat. Will have to learn to do that sometime." Grins and the girls start walking. They don't run across the treetops here but they start leading them on a winding path through the treetops.
Muthadh: They say, “It is something we inherited from our birth. It is not something that can be taught I am afraid... though the knowledge we seek might unlock such a thing for your kind. It would still not be a suitable reward for your help here but I hope it is a start."
Alliandra: "Happy to help really. You are the first new things in the jungle in a long time. Do you think the stars are leading you to your god’s birthplace?"
Muthadh: They shake their heads, “No... That is not something He would do. We know that he considers all of his Mother's things sacred. I do not think He would like us worshiping and celebrating him at a place with such mixed feelings for The Great Mother."
Alliandra: With a nod they would continue north but always have them go below the canopy at night. They are plagued by rains, bugs, and many various creatures. Including what look like small flying reptiles that they find are quite poisonous.
Muthadh: They quite enjoy the rain at times and the bugs make good bait for the flying reptiles which become another source of quick food. The wispi are far from picky when it comes to their meals so long as they let it pickle JUST a bit. They are also lucky to have such healers and medics in the group as poison is not something to ignore.
Alliandra: Yep, They find much of the medicines come from the same source as the poison or are poisons of their own. The Llieldasine seem to have natural resistance to toxins. Then again, they also get chomped on quite a bit as everything finds them tasty.
Alliandra: The constant attention from insects, birds and other predators is getting to them. They eventually will call a halt to head down to the jungle floor and spend a few days on rich soil to rest and recover.
Muthadh: The wispi will strike up camp then. Knowing that their guides would disprove of chopping down wood or the like, they ensure that any shelter they build is made from naturally fallen materials and incorporated into living ones. In this way, they create a shelter that rest along the side of a wide tree and is hung at least a foot off the ground to avoid ground pest and predators.
Alliandra: The Llieldasine's would dig into the ground taking shifts of a couple of days each watching over the group while the others slept in the soil to recover. The plant girls rarely slept if at all so to see them do this was odd.
Muthadh: Actually at that point the Wispi say, "You would do well with our vehicles. The flying ship we came here on? The wagons we use to help with our supplies? They are often made from things that must do the same thing that you do now. I think you would enjoy at least one of them."
Alliandra: The girls smile. "It had been discussed to learn how to make similar things to facilitate us branching out enclaves."
Muthadh: One of them smiles and says, "You know... I think our people would like more like you. I know it’s a big step... but you might like our world. At least the outlying areas where the sun energy still gets through. Maybe even joining us, the Lorekeepers. Our leader stayed behind for a reason... she is hoping we might be able to join your kind."
Alliandra: "Join? You mean like seeding together?"
Muthadh: The wispi all laugh and smile and one says, "No, we mean as in live together! Side by side! Do not get me wrong... we would gladly... join with you in that way... but what we meant was something less intimate but requiring just as much trust between our peoples."
Alliandra: "Oh, yeah… That will take a while. We don't trust easily once of a certain age. Its....because we are like the great trees. Quick to sprout up but then take Seasons upon seasons to mature."
Muthadh: "Then you young ones should be the ones to explore and take your experiences back with you so that future generations benefit."
Alliandra: Smiles and that gets a couple of chuckles. "It is why young ones accompany Matron's on their Enclave walk to help her settle a new Enclave. The thing is we are pretty bad about setting roots. Though our roots turn into great forests."
Muthadh: They say, "Then take our offer under consideration. You would do well within the Lorekeepers. We keep not just the lore of the Wispi."
Alliandra: "We will think on it. If we had a younger matron I think it would be well. They are the ones that become the great trees of knowledge."
Muthadh: "That is all we can ask. Do not worry otherwise. When you are ready, we can break camp."
Alliandra: They are there 9 days before they are ready to break camp. Each Llieldasine spending three days in the soil to recover. Once that is done they would smile and their flowers are all perky again. They would settle the camp area and head back up to the tree tops.
Muthadh: The wispi take to the air once more, slowly flying up and through the heavy foliage.
Muthadh: it is hot and muggy and neither group is inconvenienced enough to make it truly a problem.
Muthadh: there is no loss of time. After several days (weeks?) of more travel, the Wispi say, "We are almost there! The stars... they point us in the right way! There are some ominous storm clouds over head in that direction though... Is there anything just north of here that you are aware of? Anything of significance? A temple, lake, mountain... anything?"
Alliandra: They would try to think but as they see the storm brewing. "We will have to go below the canopy. Storms are best weathered underneath it. As for any place extra sacred." They seemed to think on it.
Alliandra: "Well.... there is the great tree..... It is the first thing said to have grown when Allianda first touched the world and walked upon it. Its in a deep deep ravine and still towers over these trees you see. That mountain in the distance under the storm. Its actually one huge tree."
Muthadh: They nod, "The clouds hand over it... still its canopy speaks over it. The stars tell us that is where we must go. Please... take us there."
Alliandra: They nod. "That is where the largest flying reptiles and such live. We must go beneath the canopy here or become their target before we even get there."
Muthadh: they nod and will descend, “Let us be cautious..."
Alliandra: The Llieldasine talk the plants down and feed them other prey as they quickly grow a shelter for them and tend their wounds. It takes time to to help them work the poison out of their system using a combination of magic and medicinal herbs. Orcana uses her own flowers to help.
Muthadh: The wispi are grateful once again for their help, "Thank you..." they will say with each administration of medicine. In total, it will take 8 days before they are healthy once more.
Alliandra: They would harvest some of the needles from the plants. "These toxins are virulant. They may come in handy for you."
Muthadh: they nod, "Thank you. Come, we are almost there..." they set off with new determination. Once they reach the great tree, the Wispi are left in awe of its magnificent size. However, the storm over head does not leave them much time to admire this wonder of nature and a large hole in the side of the tree - as if a meteor had crash through it - where strange and dark strands dance and billow from within.
Amora says, "We make camp for now and set off fully rested. There is no telling what we will find within."