LJ waits within Yggdrasil. It's hard for her to know how much time has passed. It's also very difficult to go from being able to view the universe easily to being limited to a relatively small area.
LJ feels the spirit of the Great Erl close to her.
Star Song. Your child is well. She is with the Champion of Earth and your grandfather, the Scion of Air. They strive to bring you back to the realms of flesh.
LJ feels the spirit of the Great Erl close to her.
Star Song. Your child is well. She is with the Champion of Earth and your grandfather, the Scion of Air. They strive to bring you back to the realms of flesh.
If she had a body she would have cried for joy.
"Thank you. Thank you so much for telling me. I am so happy to know that she is alright. I've been so worried about her."
The Erl's spirit sends out waves of contentment
She is secure in their care. There is currently only one who is still a threat to her wellbeing: The Harlequin
LJ can feel a tremor in the web of life surrounding her
Even now he tests his bonds and attempts to escape his captors.
"No. Oh no." she shudders as she remembers her death at the hands of the evil clown.
"He has something inside him that should never have been allowed to enter the realm of reality. I fear that more such things will come inside while no one is watching. Is there any way to warn them of his potential escape?"
... Is there any way to warn them of his potential escape?"
The Erl's spirit pulses gently
You have the power to connect with your loved ones Star Song. You just need to reach out and use your spirit to connect to them..
... Is there any way to warn them of his potential escape?"The Erl's spirit pulses gently
You have the power to connect with your loved ones Star Song. You just need to reach out and use your spirit to connect to them..
I'm not really sure how to do that. I can draw on the power of Yggdrasil to connect to someone through the Green if they are inside the Grove, but I don't know how to reach beyond that.
I'm not really sure how to do that. I can draw on the power of Yggdrasil to connect to someone through the Green if they are inside the Grove, but I don't know how to reach beyond that.
It is merely an expansion of your power Star Song. Yggdrasil can connect you to any place that the Green has purchase. Look deep within your self then cast your perception out into the Green. Search for the soul fires of your loved ones. They will draw you to them.
It is merely an expansion of your power Star Song. Yggdrasil can connect you to any place that the Green has purchase. Look deep within your self then cast your perception out into the Green. Search for the soul fires of your loved ones. They will draw you to them.
I'm not really sure how to do that. I can draw on the power of Yggdrasil to connect to someone through the Green if they are inside the Grove, but I don't know how to reach beyond that.
LJ tries to reach her consciousness through Yggdrasil into the green, humming the song belonging to Jack Hammer trying to find him through the Green. After much effort she is able to locate him, but he seems difficult to reach. She continues her efforts, determined to warn him about this new threat. Finally she is able to get through a little bit.
The spirit of the Great Erl enfolds LJ. She finds her connections strengthening geometrically
Trust yourself Star Song. Trust the power of Life.
The spirit of the Great Erl enfolds LJ. She finds her connections strengthening geometrically
Trust yourself Star Song. Trust the power of Life.
She strengthens her Song as she reaches out for Jack Hammer, and with the Great Erl's help is able to reach his mind.
"There is danger, my love. The jester, the one who slew me, is about to escape his bonds. Beware. He is possessed by something worse than mere evil."
The spirit of the Great Erl enfolds LJ. She finds her connections strengthening geometrically
Trust yourself Star Song. Trust the power of Life.
She strengthens her Song as she reaches out for Jack Hammer, and with the Great Erl's help is able to reach his mind.
"There is danger, my love. The jester, the one who slew me, is about to escape his bonds. Beware. He is possessed by something worse than mere evil."
A raven appears.
"That's right. He's possessed by me. I don't know how long we can hold him, though."
The spirit of the Great Erl enfolds LJ. She finds her connections strengthening geometrically
Trust yourself Star Song. Trust the power of Life.
She strengthens her Song as she reaches out for Jack Hammer, and with the Great Erl's help is able to reach his mind.
"There is danger, my love. The jester, the one who slew me, is about to escape his bonds. Beware. He is possessed by something worse than mere evil."
A raven appears.
"That's right. He's possessed by me. I don't know how long we can hold him, though."
With the stealthy tread of an accustomed forest hunter, the elven woman arives in the grove. She loops fingers through the gestures of a communing with nature spell, then approaches the centre of the grove.
Lynora-Jill?
With the stealthy tread of an accustomed forest hunter, the elven woman arives in the grove. She loops fingers through the gestures of a communing with nature spell, then approaches the centre of the grove.
Lynora-Jill?
"Elly, hello. It's good to see you."
The spirit of the Great Erl enfolds LJ. She finds her connections strengthening geometrically
Trust yourself Star Song. Trust the power of Life.
She strengthens her Song as she reaches out for Jack Hammer, and with the Great Erl's help is able to reach his mind.
"There is danger, my love. The jester, the one who slew me, is about to escape his bonds. Beware. He is possessed by something worse than mere evil."
A raven appears.
"That's right. He's possessed by me. I don't know how long we can hold him, though."
Dammit. I knew I'd forgotten something. Allow me to rephrase that:
[i]Frogskin appears, looking a bit ill.[/]
"That's right. He's possessed by the Mask. I don't know how long they can hold him, though..."
Dammit. I knew I'd forgotten something. Allow me to rephrase that:[/ooc]
[i]Frogskin appears, looking a bit ill.[/]
"That's right. He's possessed by the Mask. I don't know how long they can hold him, though..."
"No, Frogskin, that's not what I meant. He may be currently in the possession of the Mask, but I was referring to that which is inhabiting his shell. Something that should never have been allowed to enter the bounds of reality."
To Lynora:
I thought I would venture out here, into the big wide world to update you on a couple of developments, before I go home.
Sometimes, it's almost as if the borders of the Realms of Dream are governed by a hidden sentience, and in response to events outside of them, they almost entirely close down. Only the most powerful of rulers in dream are able to apparently keep connections to the wider world beyond open. Other means of access fail entirely. Only in their sleep can those outside sometimes catch fleeting glimpses of what is passing within.
The gate I have used to come here today is closing. Perhaps another half hour and it will be shut. Even connections such as your world's green and the world-ash fail at such times.
And I have acquired an unwanted guest. She sighs. Some of my subjects have invited a dragon to stay, which was seeking sanctuary with them, and had claims of kinship.
So long as she behaves herself, and pays her dues when taxes come around, I can do little to remove her without rewriting my own laws. And I am too proud to do that to remove one inconvenient dragon.
To Lynora:
I thought I would venture out here, into the big wide world to update you on a couple of developments, before I go home.
Sometimes, it's almost as if the borders of the Realms of Dream are governed by a hidden sentience, and in response to events outside of them, they almost entirely close down. Only the most powerful of rulers in dream are able to apparently keep connections to the wider world beyond open. Other means of access fail entirely. Only in their sleep can those outside sometimes catch fleeting glimpses of what is passing within.
The gate I have used to come here today is closing. Perhaps another half hour and it will be shut. Even connections such as your world's green and the world-ash fail at such times.
And I have acquired an unwanted guest. She sighs. Some of my subjects have invited a dragon to stay, which was seeking sanctuary with them, and had claims of kinship.
So long as she behaves herself, and pays her dues when taxes come around, I can do little to remove her without rewriting my own laws. And I am too proud to do that to remove one inconvenient dragon.
Is there anything that I can do to help? Also, if the gates are closing, then this may prove a problem as some of the pieces of my body may be there. It's hard to know for sure. I am tied to this one place and can see so little. I shudder to think what might get through the boundaries while I am trapped like this.
To Lynora:
Unless you know any gossip about 'Aritha the Tarnished' - a silver dragon and former paladin turned champion of Lamashtu - that I could use as leverage, I fear that there is not a lot that you can do to assist with my unwelcome guest.
With regard to the quest of your daughter, Arielle, it has come to my attention that a different dragon from Aritha, this one a legend dragon by the name of 'Daelemos', may have been taking an interest in the stars. It is long since rumour of him has troubled the world of men or fey, but the stories say that at times he has disposed of whole kingdoms which he felt had slighted him in some way, that his vigilance over his treasure is unceasing even when he is not apparently present, and that his opinion of thieves is that they are light snacks that occasionally turn up for his convenience.
She sighs.
Young do not often heed advice of their elders, but Arielle should be careful if her route does take her in Daelemos' direction.
"Thank you for your warning, Elly. I will tell Arielle to beware of this Daelamos. And ask them to listen for any information they can find on Aritha the Tarnished."
I did things to protect the star which I took from the base of Yggdrasil. Things which made sense to me at the time. I did not think, at that time, that anyone would be trying to bring them together for any well-intentioned purpose. I saw only a requirement to keep that particular one out of the hands of enemies, where it might be misused.
I apologise. And if she comes to the end of the road, Arielle will see what I have done.
Lynora-Jill senses the presence of the elven woman beginning to withdraw.
I did things to protect the star which I took from the base of Yggdrasil. Things which made sense to me at the time. I did not think, at that time, that anyone would be trying to bring them together for any well-intentioned purpose. I saw only a requirement to keep that particular one out of the hands of enemies, where it might be misused.
I apologise. And if she comes to the end of the road, Arielle will see what I have done.
Lynora-Jill senses the presence of the elven woman beginning to withdraw.
"Elly, what did you do? Please tell me."
"No, Frogskin, that's not what I meant. He may be currently in the possession of the Mask, but I was referring to that which is inhabiting his shell. Something that should never have been allowed to enter the bounds of reality."
Dammit. I knew I'd forgotten something. Allow me to rephrase that:[/ooc]
[i]Frogskin appears, looking a bit ill.[/]
"That's right. He's possessed by the Mask. I don't know how long they can hold him, though..."
"I was being ironic."
To Lynora:
I actualised an ancient draconic concept - Eiboria - as both guardian and guarded. I anticipated that it might be a question of whole ages of the worlds that watch would be needed for against the ceaseless malice that lies outside the Realms of Dream, and it was the highest protection, whilst showing honour to your passing, that I could afford the star.
She breaks contact.
"I was being ironic.""No, Frogskin, that's not what I meant. He may be currently in the possession of the Mask, but I was referring to that which is inhabiting his shell. Something that should never have been allowed to enter the bounds of reality."
Dammit. I knew I'd forgotten something. Allow me to rephrase that:[/ooc]
[i]Frogskin appears, looking a bit ill.[/]
"That's right. He's possessed by the Mask. I don't know how long they can hold him, though..."
The elven woman nods to Frogskin (and the Jarl if present?) and leaves the Grove. Shortly after she departs, the last gate to the Realms of Dream to stand open and free to use closes. Only a handful of gates, in obscure and highly dangerous places on the side outside the Realms, and in the citadels, halls, or marshalling places of great lords on the side within the Realms, remain open.
The trees rustle as the woman leaves the Grove.
Evil looms on the horizon Star Song
"I know, Great Erl. I should be helping, guarding the boundaries. Instead, in my ignorance, I may have defeated one evil only to allow another greater one purchase. It would really help if this deity thing came with an instruction manual," she adds, clearly frustrated.
You will find the path Star Song. Believe in yourself.
"I am trying, Great Erl."
LJ concentrates as best she can and finally manages to send the message Elly had given her.
The air shimmers and an astral projection of a half-elven woman manifests. She glances at the world ash and speaks to Lynora Jill:
Mother air; please make sure that impulsive, reckless, lump of a lover of yours, keeps Arielle away from Daelemos if he's looking to pick a fight with that particular dragon. Jack Hammer's intentions are difficult for me to be certain of, and I have heard nothing yet to indicate that he has paid any attention to my concerns regarding her safety.
The air shimmers and an astral projection of a half-elven woman manifests. She glances at the world ash and speaks to Lynora Jill:
Mother air; please make sure that impulsive, reckless, lump of a lover of yours, keeps Arielle away from Daelemos if he's looking to pick a fight with that particular dragon. Jack Hammer's intentions are difficult for me to be certain of, and I have heard nothing yet to indicate that he has paid any attention to my concerns regarding her safety.
"He swore to me that he would protect our daughter, and I have no reason to doubt that he will. I will speak to him on the matter of caution regarding that dragon. But it is Daelemos who has provoked a fight. To send that abomination to Arielle... Jack Hammer is not the only one who is angry right now."
"He swore to me that he would protect our daughter, and I have no reason to doubt that he will. I will speak to him on the matter of caution regarding that dragon. But it is Daelemos who has provoked a fight. To send that abomination to Arielle... Jack Hammer is not the only one who is angry right now."The air shimmers and an astral projection of a half-elven woman manifests. She glances at the world ash and speaks to Lynora Jill:
Mother air; please make sure that impulsive, reckless, lump of a lover of yours, keeps Arielle away from Daelemos if he's looking to pick a fight with that particular dragon. Jack Hammer's intentions are difficult for me to be certain of, and I have heard nothing yet to indicate that he has paid any attention to my concerns regarding her safety.
Frogskin coughs.
"H-he certainly i-isn't. But as you s-said, c-caution is necess-necessary. O-our heads must be clear."
Frogskin coughs.
"H-he certainly i-isn't. But as you s-said, c-caution is necess-necessary. O-our heads must be clear."
"Frogskin, are you alright? I would suggest drinking from the spring over there if you are hurt or ailing. It will help."
"Frogskin, are you alright? I would suggest drinking from the spring over there if you are hurt or ailing. It will help."Frogskin coughs.
"H-he certainly i-isn't. But as you s-said, c-caution is necess-necessary. O-our heads must be clear."
Frogskin looks decidedly nervous.
"Um, that's a-alright. Just a l-little...cold.
Frogskin looks decidedly nervous.
"Um, that's a-alright. Just a l-little...cold.
"Why would you refuse an offer for healing? For something that is obviously bothering you? Frogskin, what have you done?"
A large wolf finds a good spot and flops down, trying to get some sleep before it continues its search. He isn't paying attention to the world around him.
"Why would you refuse an offer for healing? For something that is obviously bothering you? Frogskin, what have you done?"
Frogskin looks decidedly nervous.
"Um, that's a-alright. Just a l-little...cold.
"It's nothing. A-a small s-sacrifice to pay. It was n-necessary. Nothing to w-worry about.
"It's nothing. A-a small s-sacrifice to pay. It was n-necessary. Nothing to w-worry about.
"I hope for your sake that you are right. But remember this, there is always a choice. If you ever have need of my help, you know I will give it."
If you seek retribution against Daelemos, plan it like a dragon, and make an attack against which his vast personal might, arcane knowledge, and ability to disregard as gnat bites almost any physical or magical assault against his person will count for nothing.
In some accounts, he was a shadow champion of stone, of air, of fire, of wood, and of water long before many of your friends or allies were about, and he might well still be. And yet in those same accounts his driving force is always his pride.
If you can find a way, use words as weapons, so that that pride will prevent him from making a violent or lethal response that someone more humble might be able to accept the need to do.
It may well seem irrational to a non-dragon, that a being could be so defined by their pride that they can be tricked or coerced into doing something which they hate, and will smoulder over it in impotent rage for millenia, but it is possible.
Those are my thoughts.
She bows her head.
If you seek retribution against Daelemos, plan it like a dragon, and make an attack against which his vast personal might, arcane knowledge, and ability to disregard as gnat bites almost any physical or magical assault against his person will count for nothing.
In some accounts, he was a shadow champion of stone, of air, of fire, of wood, and of water long before many of your friends or allies were about, and he might well still be. And yet in those same accounts his driving force is always his pride.
If you can find a way, use words as weapons, so that that pride will prevent him from making a violent or lethal response that someone more humble might be able to accept the need to do.
It may well seem irrational to a non-dragon, that a being could be so defined by their pride that they can be tricked or coerced into doing something which they hate, and will smoulder over it in impotent rage for millenia, but it is possible.
Those are my thoughts.
She bows her head.
"I thank you for your advice. I am not at all sure how to go about putting it into practice, but I will think on it. At the very least you have given me more information to go on than I previously had. Again, I thank you."
"I thank you for your advice. I am not at all sure how to go about putting it into practice, but I will think on it. At the very least you have given me more information to go on than I previously had. Again, I thank you."
Except from a 'kill dangerous things' point of view, I am certain I would make a hopeless guardian for Arielle. Better for her that at least some of you are around for as long as possible, so I need not feel pressured to step in.
The image winks out.
"It's nothing. A-a small s-sacrifice to pay. It was n-necessary. Nothing to w-worry about."I hope for your sake that you are right. But remember this, there is always a choice. If you ever have need of my help, you know I will give it."
Frogskin coughs.
"The sooner I get out of here, the better. Unfortunately, that is not an option."
Frogskin coughs.
"The sooner I get out of here, the better. Unfortunately, that is not an option."
"What exactly is it you are here to do, Frogskin?"
"What exactly is it you are here to do, Frogskin?"Frogskin coughs.
"The sooner I get out of here, the better. Unfortunately, that is not an option."
"Mainly, watching. It isn't fun, but I have work to do, so I'm not completely bored. All I can do is wait."