May the wind always be at your back Old One.
E7 pauses It seems that our enemy knows fear. She has moved.
Warden, what do you know?
The Warden remains silent.
Spring Sapling looks to E7
Grandfather. Perhaps we should assemble of the Plains of Roleplaying? For it is written that the Black and the Green shall have their battle thither.
Beren nods his furry head
Aye. We will need to see the lay of the land and array ourselves in a proper manner there.
Spring Sapling looks to E7
Grandfather. Perhaps we should assemble of the Plains of Roleplaying? For it is written that the Black and the Green shall have their battle thither.
Yes, the dance begins. Jorel, if you would be so kind?
The cleric begins reading from an ancient tome. Fangs and weapons become good-aligned, arrows glow with brilliant energy, and lances of sunlight sprought from the riders hands. Armor and hide strengthens with protections.
We have learned much over the centuries, Granddaughter.
E7 gestures and gates the color of rainbows appear around the gathering.
Fishfinder, if you could command the woodland legion I would be most appreciative.
The portals flash as the Army of Life passes thru. They flash multiple times as invisible troops pass thru. More portals in the sky flash.
I leave the reserves in your charge Great Erl. Here we go again.
E7 jumps aboard Marsh Shadow and they disappear into the sky.
Within the starry realms of the Green, Lynora-Jill once more confronts her shadow self.
"Are you sure there is no other way?"
"You know the answer to that already. The power of Life is already strengthening your body to withstand the energies you will require to reach your appointment with destiny, as it were."
"It would be easier if I could see what came next."
"Did you really expect easy? I know it's not fair. Fair doesn't come into it. It is necessary. You already know what you must do. Why are you still fighting it?"
"Because I hope that somehow the answers will change."
"They won't. None can see what will be. All you ever really have is hope. Now go. You have things to see to before the battle."
Her shadow self disappears and she is once more watching the dance of stars as they move across the sky. She frowns. It takes more and more strength to keep them from being pulled into the Black. She strengthens the Song of Life and the Song of Making that she learned from Yggdrasil. For now the damage has stopped. She nods to herself, satisfied that she has done all she can. She returns to her body.
She awakens and find the two boxes with her name on them. She opens the first one and finds the star shaped earrings. They are beautiful. But why didn't Jack Hammer give them to her in person? She remembers the pain she felt while she was communing with Yggdrasil and feels fear. She took a deep breath, and put the earrings on. She prays that her love is alright wherever he is. She opens the second box and reads the note. "To keep you grounded." The anklet is beautiful. As beautiful as the earrings. She ran her finger along the pattern of vines before pulling it out of the box and putting it on. She sent a wave of love/adoration/gratitude towards him wherever he was, hoping that he could feel it. She had hoped he would still be here. She had wanted the chance to say goodbye in case...Well, in case.
She awakens and find the two boxes with her name on them. She opens the first one and finds the star shaped earrings. They are beautiful. But why didn't Jack Hammer give them to her in person? She remembers the pain she felt while she was communing with Yggdrasil and feels fear. She took a deep breath, and put the earrings on. She prays that her love is alright wherever he is. She opens the second box and reads the note. "To keep you grounded." The anklet is beautiful. As beautiful as the earrings. She ran her finger along the pattern of vines before pulling it out of the box and putting it on. She sent a wave of love/adoration/gratitude towards him wherever he was, hoping that he could feel it. She had hoped he would still be here. She had wanted the chance to say goodbye in case...Well, in case.
Kobold Cleaver bounces over to her.
"You are having doubts. Plantjack can tell. But I do not know about what. Take courage, Lynora. I will never be your friend, but I can still give you advice. Many of us will have to make sacrifices in this war. If we don't, then we are as good as dead. This war is not hopeless. WHat I mean is..."The marble rolls around nervously, shifting colors. It settles on black.
"Lynora, we must all make our sacrifices. I lost my body, and was banished from the Servants. Wasp was slain, as were the kittens. There is no time for love. Your heart must harden. We're fighting a war, and love is useless to the cause."
The marble bounces away before she can answer, shifting from black to grey.
"I am sorry you must go through this." It calls out, before vanishing.
She smiles sadly. "Foolish kobold," she whispers. "Have you still not learned? Love is the reason for the sacrifice. Without it, there is no meaning. You do not wish for me to harden my heart. If I did I would become as great an enemy as the one we are working to defeat. Did you learn nothing from your time with the goddess of dangerous knowledge? She cared for nothing and no one, and look what she became. I will not walk her road, even if my own path is more painful. I will make the sacrifice because I must. No matter how much it hurts."
Her words carry on the wind, following the kobold so that he hears her response. She doubts that any of it would get through to him, but she still hopes. One of these days perhaps he would understand.
She smiles sadly. "Foolish kobold," she whispers. "Have you still not learned? Love is the reason for the sacrifice. Without it, there is no meaning. You do not wish for me to harden my heart. If I did I would become as great an enemy as the one we are working to defeat. Did you learn nothing from your time with the goddess of dangerous knowledge? She cared for nothing and no one, and look what she became. I will not walk her road, even if my own path is more painful. I will make the sacrifice because I must. No matter how much it hurts."
Her words carry on the wind, following the kobold so that he hears her response. She doubts that any of it would get through to him, but she still hopes. One of these days perhaps he would understand.
A voice carries back to her, sounding sad.
"You've changed a lot since the days when Candle Lighter was the only threat."
A voice carries back to her, sounding sad.
"You've changed a lot since the days when Candle Lighter was the only threat."
"I know," she says, her arms crossed tightly in front of her, yet another tear escaping. "In spite of all the risks, I always had hope then that everything would be okay in the end. That there was still a chance at happily ever after. It's different walking knowingly to your own death, no longer being sure about there even being an after."
"I know," she says, her arms crossed tightly in front of her, yet another tear escaping. "In spite of all the risks, I always had hope then that everything would be okay in the end. That there was still a chance at happily ever after. It's different walking knowingly to your own death, no longer being sure about there even being an after."A voice carries back to her, sounding sad.
"You've changed a lot since the days when Candle Lighter was the only threat."
"Understandable. This tale is not a happy one anymore. I have gone from being a wise kobold who could understand the Board's will to being...a pathetic ruthless marble who can barely cast lightning bolt."
"Understandable. This tale is not a happy one anymore. I have gone from being a wise kobold who could understand the Board's will to being...a pathetic ruthless marble who can barely cast lightning bolt."
"My offer to give you a new body still stands. And I can do it now, without causing harm to you. It will be a living body with all the drawbacks of such. But it would still be better than a marble. And no need to remind me of your problems with positive energy. A goddess gets to override these things now and again if she wants to."
A familiar squirrel scampers over to LJ and curls up against her leg, her sad eyes fixed upon the locations of the portals that took away so many of her friends.
A familiar squirrel scampers over to LJ and curls up against her leg, her sad eyes fixed upon the locations of the portals that took away so many of her friends.
LJ scoops up the squirrel. "I know, little one. I cannot promise that they will all come back, but I will do all I can to stop this evil that we are going to fight. Here," she adds blowing gently on the squirrel, placing magical protections on it. "There you go. To help keep you safe." She holds out a hand, and one of the minor winds that accompanies her brought her some nuts. She hands them to the squirrel. "For you. I don't know if I'll ever see you again, little one. If I don't get a chance to see Jack Hammer again before the battle, tell him for me...tell him that I love him and that I will return to him if it is at all possible." She sets the squirrel back down.
A familiar squirrel scampers over to LJ and curls up against her leg, her sad eyes fixed upon the locations of the portals that took away so many of her friends.LJ scoops up the squirrel. "I know, little one. I cannot promise that they will all come back, but I will do all I can to stop this evil that we are going to fight. Here," she adds blowing gently on the squirrel, placing magical protections on it. "There you go. To help keep you safe." She holds out a hand, and one of the minor winds that accompanies her brought her some nuts. She hands them to the squirrel. "For you. I don't know if I'll ever see you again, little one. If I don't get a chance to see Jack Hammer again before the battle, tell him for me...tell him that I love him and that I will return to him if it is at all possible." She sets the squirrel back down.
The squirrel leaves the task of hiding the nuts for a later time. She nestles next to LJ.
The squirrel leaves the task of hiding the nuts for a later time. She nestles next to LJ.
LJ's expression softens. "Very well, little one," she says sitting down next to the squirrel. "I can stay just a little longer. But I have to leave soon to go to my temple. I have an army of my own to muster, and between hatchlings and skirmishes, my herald is all tuckered out just now."
As stealthy and silent as night, the elven woman is there, in her hunt garb again. She has a slightly distracted expression, as if her thoughts are on other things than the immediate vicinity.
I have observers in various other places at present. And there seems to be a great deal of business and industry. Which begs the question, what happens if the antagonist does not attack in the expected place or by the expected means?
As stealthy and silent as night, the elven woman is there, in her hunt garb again. She has a slightly distracted expression, as if her thoughts are on other things than the immediate vicinity.
I have observers in various other places at present. And there seems to be a great deal of business and industry. Which begs the question, what happens if the antagonist does not attack in the expected place or by the expected means?
"Then we will alter our strategies to meet her where she does appear. Air is more mobile than most, and we will likely take the heaviest losses while the rest catch up if that is in fact the case. All we can do is prepare the best we can."
Well it is of little real matter to me. I commented to be polite, but I do have a little surprise from the fey realms for this place.
She produces a handful of thorns each a foot long, and flips them like darts into the nearby undergrowth, muttering words under her breath. Within moments, the ground begins to tremble and shake, as giant vines, loaded with thorns and deep violet roses burst forth from the earth, weaving an impenetrable wall around the grove of ancients. A slightly soporific scent a little like cinnamon, fills the air. The elven woman surveys her handiwork.
I really wouldn't want to be an undead trying to get past these. They grow in a part of the Realms of Dream where undead are a particular problem, and let us say they have their own method for coping with attacks from such pests. They are only likely to last a few days in the soil here, and will only grow if planted by the hand of a fey queen, so are unlikely to become permanent additions to your flora.
"Thank you, Elly. That is most generous of you, and we are grateful for your help. I am sorry that I was so rude to you before. You deserved better. I hope that I have the chance to make it up to you someday."
I do not know that we will meet again. We have a saying in the fey realms that things often go in threes, and this is our third meeting - and I have seen the path of fate which you walk.
Now, if you will excuse me, but there are thing which I must attend to elsewhere.
If we meet again, it is only likely to be the other side of a place of shadows.
She draws her cloak about her and departs.
She sighs and strokes the squirrel's fur.
"You'll be as safe here as anywhere, little one. And I must go. I have a difficult path to fly now. There is a chance I will never come this way again. Take care, little one. Stay safe."
She stands up.
"Thank you, Great Erl. For all your help. I must look after my own people now. Too many of them will also fall in this battle. They deserve a little of my attention beforehand."
"Understandable. This tale is not a happy one anymore. I have gone from being a wise kobold who could understand the Board's will to being...a pathetic ruthless marble who can barely cast lightning bolt.""My offer to give you a new body still stands. And I can do it now, without causing harm to you. It will be a living body with all the drawbacks of such. But it would still be better than a marble. And no need to remind me of your problems with positive energy. A goddess gets to override these things now and again if she wants to."
The marble reappears, in time to see Lynora disappear.
"Why don't I take a new body?...." He mutters to himself.
"Why don't I take a new body?...." He mutters to himself.
"You can find me at the Eyrie if you decide to accept my offer." the winds carry the message to him.
A pair of apparent elves emerge form the forest, to approach the grove and are halted by the wall of thorns and roses. They glance at one another.
Darn. We're too late. I told you we shouldn't have stopped to rob that tax collector.
She giggles.
But I need to be able to buy new dresses. And you know it's all your fault that I need these new dresses in the first place.
He sighs in mock exasperation.
But if you didn't make such a habit of eating your dressmakers every time we got one on retainer, we'd be able to manage a much more fiscally prudent route than instead having to go shopping every time you need a new one.
But they always end up making a comment how plump I seem to be getting. And that always makes me look at them, and see how plump they are, and that makes my mouth water so much.... Why do experienced dress makers, who are worth getting on retainer, always look such tasty, juicy morsels?
And anyway, it's all you're fault I end up getting so plump... well mostly your fault.
She giggles.
Really, my dear, I have NO IDEA exactly what you may be implying....
Bickering good-naturedly with one another, they wander off.
The Omniportal flares to life as Devlyn and Allura enter the Grove of Ancients. The place seems eerily quiet.
"Um....where...is...everybody?" Devlyn asks as he looks around, listening and taking in the scents of the place.
"I don't know. I've never seen it so empty. We should try the Sanctum?"
"I don't know. I've never seen it so empty. We should try the Sanctum?"
"It doesn't look like anything happened here, and I don't smell anything out of sorts, other than..." he wanders off for a moment, then comes back.
"Some kind of thick bramble wall with violet roses that smells like cinnamon is up on the periphery of the Grove. It smells natural - maybe some form of defense during everyone's absence."
"I guess everything's okay for the moment. Let's get to the Sanctum and see if our luck improves."
With a final look around, Devlyn and Allura use the Omniportal to go to the Sanctum of the Sun.
A single glimmering star sits at the base of Yggdrasil.
Two nymphs in shirts of mithral and helms of dark adamantine accompanied by four dryads in leafmail armour and with long spears emerge from the shadows. The nymphs bear with them a casket of oak and ash, bound with iron. They open the cask, and with tongs of moonlight collect the star and secure it within the casket, before snapping shut the lid.
Then they depart back to the shadows, and the Realm of Dreams...
Two nymphs in shirts of mithral and helms of dark adamantine accompanied by four dryads in leafmail armour and with long spears emerge from the shadows. The nymphs bear with them a casket of oak and ash, bound with iron. They open the cask, and with tongs of moonlight collect the star and secure it within the casket, before snapping shut the lid.
Then they depart back to the shadows, and the Realm of Dreams...
Two nymphs in shirts of mithral and helms of dark adamantine accompanied by four dryads in leafmail armour and with long spears emerge from the shadows. The nymphs bear with them a casket of oak and ash, bound with iron. They open the cask, and with tongs of moonlight collect the star and secure it within the casket, before snapping shut the lid.
Then they depart back to the shadows, and the Realm of Dreams...
Two nymphs in shirts of mithral and helms of dark adamantine accompanied by four dryads in leafmail armour and with long spears emerge from the shadows. The nymphs bear with them a casket of oak and ash, bound with iron. They open the cask, and with tongs of moonlight collect the star and secure it within the casket, before snapping shut the lid.
Then they depart back to the shadows, and the Realm of Dreams...
JH's comatose body is placed at the base of Yggdrasil. His small squirrel guardian brings him nuts and seeds should he awake. She challenges any who approach.
Two nymphs in shirts of mithral and helms of dark adamantine accompanied by four dryads in leafmail armour and with long spears emerge from the shadows. The nymphs bear with them a casket of oak and ash, bound with iron. They open the cask, and with tongs of moonlight collect the star and secure it within the casket, before snapping shut the lid.
Then they depart back to the shadows, and the Realm of Dreams...
Guess number 1) with Jack Hammer.
Guess number 2) with the Eyrie (probably her grandfather's keeping).
I don't think I need more than those...
A small air elemental carries a bundle and places it at the foot of Yggdrasil, next to JH. It contains all of LJ's things. Her chain bikini, her bow, her bracers, and the earrings and anklet given to her by JH. The elemental leaves sadly, heading back to the Eyrie.
A small air elemental carries a bundle and places it at the foot of Yggdrasil, next to JH. It contains all of LJ's things. Her chain bikini, her bow, her bracers, and the earrings and anklet given to her by JH. The elemental leaves sadly, heading back to the Eyrie.
A small air elemental carries a bundle and places it at the foot of Yggdrasil, next to JH. It contains all of LJ's things. Her chain bikini, her bow, her bracers, and the earrings and anklet given to her by JH. The elemental leaves sadly, heading back to the Eyrie.
Mist begins to form around JH's hammer as it is placed next to him. The form of a lion made of silvery mist lays beside him. Another form flies up into the branches above him. An eagle. The squirrel seems not to notice.
Leo and Aquila watch over JH.
Within the World Tree, LJ wanders. No more dancing with stars and feeling the power of the universe as it moves. Here she was just herself, alone. There are many worlds that connect here, but she can only look at them from afar, stuck within the tree itself where she chose to fasten her life force until she either dies for good or is called back to the living world.
Within the World Tree, LJ wanders. No more dancing with stars and feeling the power of the universe as it moves. Here she was just herself, alone. There are many worlds that connect here, but she can only look at them from afar, stuck within the tree itself where she chose to fasten her life force until she either dies for good or is called back to the living world.
Lynora feels a presence nearby her.