I'm on vacation today through January 10. I am still going to try to check in and update, but it may be less often, and there may be days where it just doesn't happen. Please feel free to bot me if needed.
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Yes, elves have ambition, although it is important to try to help everyone succeed and build on their strengths so that everyone contributes and has a place in the community. Everyone can "leave a mark" if we work together. ... As for enforced servitude and continued claiming of lands... you have given me much to consider, and I will take these insights back to share with my people in time.
This isn't a new world. It is an inhabited and occupied land, and has been for some time. I seek to learn of the human and dwarven perspectives on this matter in order to help our people to work together to use Aradia's gifts in the spirit of cooperation. Are there too many humans then, to blend in with nature, or do you live in areas without many natural resources? The silver elves make our homes in natural structures to respect Aradia and the natural beauty of her gifts, but also because that is where the dragons dwell, as our lives are intertwined. Zamaris glances over at Vinexa and continues. Other elves live in the forest, in the jungle, in the deserts, and in the snow, and of course naturally adapt to those environments as Aradia wishes. I have heard rumors of Elves who live under the water, although that is probably just a fable. Some do as you do, and build dwellings of natural materials when there are no trees or caves. I have heard the word castle. A very large house made of cut stone, correct? It seems a comforting thing to attempt, to try to create the safety of a cave even when there are no natural ones around you, and it must involve a large community of cooperation. Did you live in a castle back in your own land?
Responding to Argen, Zamaris says Evil is to be fought wherever it is found, of course. However, I do also have a personal interest in finding out whether the dwarves are a threat to my own people, for we dwell underground in the caverns of this land, and we would know whether they also seek to do so here, for we have heard that is where they choose to live in their homeland. A thought then comes to her and she asks Are there humans that live in caves as well, in your land?
I admire your dedication to your work, although I still find it strange. Perhaps sometime in the future we can talk about Dwarven religion. For now, the loan of one of your craftsmen would be appreciated, but I am somewhat worried that the pull will become stronger the closer we get, and I don't wish to see another of your kind lost. Perhaps he can take us part of the way, and if he feels the pull growing stronger he can return? Zamaris waits for her companions to ask any questions they have, and when they are finished talking with the dwarf, they arrange a time to meet up with their Dwarven escort.
Zamaris is pleased to better understand the dwarves, although the nature of their creation is strange to her. I vow to undertake this quest. Is there a directionality to this pull that you feel? If they wandered off from the worksite, would they feel a need to go in a certain direction, or would they wander aimlessly? I imagine that finding them would lead us closer to the call of Hakkon, but anything you can tell us about the call would be helpful. Also, if this place is so dangerous for you on a spiritual level, why do you not leave? I ask this not because you are unwelcome, but it is strange to me. If being in a certain place put my own goodness at risk, I would flee that place, for all mortals are weak, and repeated exposure to evil can make evil seem acceptable. So teach the dragons.
Zamaris bows and says Apologies, Master Stouthammer. Some of our Dwarven friends over at the Inn are mourning their fellows, although they appear to be lost rather than dead. We were hoping to assist you in finding them. I gather that something ails them, but no one would explain what it was. If it is possible for us to help with that as well, we pledge our help. She includes the newcomer in her final "we" gesture, certain that he will recuse himself if he is there for a different reason.
Zamaris smiles and responds to Vinexa. Elven:
Nice to meet you, Vinexa. And well spoken. Let's go find out. In Dwarven she thanks the dwarves for their enjoyable company, and says that she hopes to see them again soon. Then she gets up, waiting for Vinexa to do the same, and heads towards the door.
After getting information from the dwarves that Osur Stouthammer might have additional information about the disappearance, and where he can be found, she determines to visit the man, not only wanting to solve the mystery of the disappearance, but also wondering about the things that the dwarves were pointedly not saying. She needed more information to add to her journal. She again translates the conversation for Vinexa, and then adds (still in Elven) Elven: I think that is all we are going to get about the mystery from this lot. I'm really curious about how people could be missing and presumably not dead, but they are still being mourned as though they were. Perhaps a religious thing? Do you think they broke a dwarven taboo? Do you want to come with me to talk to this Osur Stouthammer? I'm Zamaris by the way. I think I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I apologize.
If we can hear, Zamaris volunteers to go along and help. If not, she asks where Dusi and Thorm were seen last, and if it would be worthwhile to go find them and try to save them.
Vinexa sees and approaches the full-blooded silver elf, ... Just as a clarification, Zamaris was built as a cavern elf, and her sorcerous bloodline is from a silver dragon. I think it is totally cool if her tribe are called silver elves in this world, because their tribe is basically built around the dragons they serve, and all their hair is probably similarly silvery-white (or at least silvery-something), but wanted to make sure to clarify the build in case I need to change anything. Also, playing this like Zamaris has never even heard of a half-elf or known that such a thing was possible (at least with humans... obviously dragon blood is different, and a privilege). Therefore she doesn't really have a bias against it. She will be more upset if she learns of Vin's hag blood, because of that possibly evil influence, but knowing she is a half-human won't bother her, because she is supposed to be studying the humans, and that gives her an excuse to hang out with Vin. If you think that her tribe would already be biased against half-elves though, let me know and I can play it another way when she discovers it.
Noticing that the dwarves seem to be missing some of their kin, Zamaris asks Dwarven:
Who has gone missing? And what do you mean by "darkside"? She assumes that "maker" refers to their deity, and so saves a question about that for later. ____ She translates for Vinexa, explaining that some dwarves have gone missing. She ignores the nagging feeling of something "not-quite-right" since she can't yet identify a reason for it. Perhaps it is just a personal bias against green hair, after all. She continues to observe.
Zamaris sees the green-haired elf approaching, and when she asks if she can join, Zamaris says Sure! I'm guessing you don't know dwarven, but I can translate for you if anything comes up you don't understand. Here, sit by me. Do you prefer elven or common?
Zamaris takes the opportunity to sing with the dwarves, although she passes the ale on to someone else every time it is passed to her, not wanting to impair her observations. She attempts to gather information from them about how they like this new land, where they are staying, and whether more of them are likely to come... all in a jovial, lighthearted way, of course. :)
Zamaris walked into the White Wolf tavern, wondering if there were actually any white wolves in this town, and whether the name was a sign of respect for the wolves or perhaps a victory over them in battle. She was pleased to see a human and also some dwarves, and very surprised to see a green-haired elf. She looked different than her tribe, but most elves did since they did not carry the blood of dragons. She wondered if her tribe were of the woodland sort, perhaps worshipping Aradia through their affinity with plants. Well, she wasn't here for that, but given time, she would have to talk to her and find out, out of curiosity at least. The human looks busy talking to the barmaid, so she decides to start with the dwarves. She approaches their table, and says Dwarven: What song are you singing? May I learn it?
Awesome, glad the character was approved. Will get an introduction post up later today. |