Fantasy Setting Summer Dawn

[Zazz]

Lohrithe supposed there were reasons, in Sumenna, to hide one's skin colour. There simply was no reason, in Cyndara, that he could think of. Even after their travels, he still found Sumennan society bizarre. "Well, you need not hide, here, friend. Not many leave the caves." Every time they did, it was dangerous just getting down the mountain. He was lucky, he supposed, to have spent his younger years with the Raz'kul orc clan. He saw the world much more than most drow, especially at his young age.

Lohrithe frowned, then. How long did orcs live, when not consumed by a life of war? Would he outlive Desrick? The thought troubled him.

Noticing the way Alistair was wolfing down his food, Lohrithe grinned. Once the lot of them were finished eating, he gave Alistair and Leandra each a bar of soap and led them to the baths. Back at the house, he sat with Iolas, offering him a cup of cranberry wine. "Tell me, brother. What is your story? We have not yet had a moment to really chat."

 

[Baconhands]

It was happening again. The same dream that had plagued her sleep every night since then. Her flying ahead, her trying to buy her companions time. Every time she was disarmed, her blade spiralling away from her and clattering against the stone floor as her opponent raised their sword, ready to deliver a killing blow. As always, the sword arced down and, as always, just before it impacted, the shapeshifter woke up.

When her eyes snapped open, Meera bolted upright. Her head darted from side to side, taking in every last detail of her surroundings, her memory lost to her for a moment. Where was she? Where were the others? Were the people here friends? If so, did she owe them some tea?

She forced herself to calm down, taking deep breaths as she slowly recalled what had occurred. They were with the drow, with Lohr’s family specifically. Meera had gone to find somewhere to sleep as soon as they’d arrived; as it was, she was nestled in Pyrrhus’ bag, a place shapeshifter had felt fairly safe sleeping in before. She was certain that only a small amount of time had passed between her closing her eyes and her opening them again. A heavy sigh escaped the raven as she forced her head up out of the main pocket.

“Any tea or berries?” she asked groggily.

 

[SilverFlight]

Desrick knew this wouldn't be easy, but Ulviraerithra had given him an opening to justify his request. He would not waste it. Desrick took a breath and tried to summon his best diplomatic skills.
"Not sacrifice," He began steadily, "But leave for a short time, take all the provisions you can carry, burn the rest, leave nothing for the army. The Myst queen will provide for all her people, as is Cyndara's will. I know the drow are capable fighters, and you have the strategic advantage, but against the numbers coming for you that will not be enough. Perhaps some may be willing to gamble innocent lives for the sake of pride, but I suspect most of the council is above that. Please, pack and head towards Myst. If my claim is false, you lose nothing, if it proves true, you have saved your people."

Zazz Flutterby

 

[Goonfire]

Crow paused for a moment, glancing to his left. "Well... I may joke about the Eskaroi citizens and have a severe case of wanderlust," he started with a wry grin, "... but I do miss it. Perhaps it is not until we are far away from home that we learn to truly savor the moments we spend there." He sighed and leaned back, relaxing in the bath. "Perhaps it is yet another thing our peoples share, as well."

SilverFlight

 

[Zazz]

A drow man who had been quiet thus far spoke up. He was old, Azaria could tell, skin grey and weathered by time. He spoke in the dark elven tongue, and for a moment, the rest of the council turned their incredulous gazes to him. Some, the halfling noticed, were appalled, and yet others seemed... receptive. The elderly woman next to him folded her hands on the great stone table in front of her.

Kierzanatha was the first to acknowledge the outsiders. "Ah.. Councilor Tluthaonar has said our people should leave for Myst at once... and the elders will stay behind to defend Velkyn Har'ol. Give us time." The younger councilor looked to Ora and Desrick helplessly. Ulviraerithra remained still, though the map was passed on around the table to those who wished to see it.

"A sacrifice," Azaria realized, saying quietly to Desrick and the others, "They mean to have an honourable death."

 

[Flutterby]

Ora partially glanced at Azaria, keeping her eyes on the council but turning her head to acknowledge her voice. She made eye contact with Kierzanatha, noting that she was looking to them to.. what, dissuade the elders? If this was the only way for them to ensure the council's full support, how could she speak against it? How could she deny that they might need whatever time they could buy them?

Ora let Azaria's words sit in her mind for a few moments, let the heaviness in the room wash over her, before she spoke again.
"To sacrifice for the good of one's people, for the good of all Cyndaran people, is indeed honorable. The elders.. will not be the first to have done so, and very well may not be the last. The names of those heroes will not be forgotten." Again, the crooked tusks and weathered green face of Burgren came to her, as she looked at Councilor Tluthaonar.

"I can only assume that the loss of their wisdom and guidance would be as great for your people as it would be for my own. A loss to be felt for generations." She paused, looking back to Councilor Kierzanatha. Ora could only guess that this was why she was looking to them- that she wanted them to try and prevent their deaths.

She fixed her gaze back on Councilor Tluthaonar, a slight raise of her chin washing away any conflict that had showed on her face.
"I would not dare suggest the elders are unaware of the perils of war, or the fate that likely awaits them if they stay. I would implore the elders to reconsider, to think of the value of their presence among their people in a very frightening time. But ultimately, we must all prioritize the future of our peoples, and I understand that sacrifice may be necessary for that."

SilverFlight Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Tluthaonar looked across the table at the dwarf with kind, yellow-gold eyes. His white eyebrows "You are so young, child. From where do your wise words come?" His words were slow, carefully picked, and his voice gentle. Yet the council clearly respected him. He rose from his seat, taking hold of a sturdy, black staff. The magic sort, with a fist sized stone the colour of a glowing ember enclosed in the tips of a claw.

"The elders will not travel. This is our home. We will only slow you down," he added, peering at Kierzanatha. "The rest of you must move quickly. We will secure the future of our people by remaining in Velkyn Har'ol. Our bodies may be frail, but our magic is strong. Go, take who can travel. Leave those who cannot. We will make a stand, here, in our home."

The elder woman beside him stood, also. "I second this. We must do better than these lightlanders."

"What do we owe the Mystlanders? Why must we fight their battles? We should stay and defend the city," huffed Coldarrin.

"Councilor-"

"We are not cowards to fly with our wings furled, Kierzanatha-"

"Councilor Kierzanatha." Ulviraerithra's tone was firm, and invited no further discussion. "Those in favour of remaining to be potentially slaughtered?" A number of hands raised. "Those in favour of assembling our forces at Myst?" A few more hands raised.

Kierzanatha also stood, followed by a few other drow. "This is not something we have time to debate," she scolded. "Councilors, these are our children, our future!"

"She is right." Azaria stepped forward, growing tired of their bickering. "The longer it takes to leave, the more children you have murdered." She took a moment to look at each member of the council. "Choose."

Many hisses were heard around the room. Azaria hissed back at one of the men. "Shall I give you a blade? It will be a faster death than the one coming for them. I could do it for you. One child for every moment you waste."

Ulviraerithra commanded another vote. This time, there were more hands to stay. But there were also more hands to leave.

Kierzanatha looked to Ulviraerithra. "Well. That might be the quickest decision I have ever witnessed in this room."

"And the last."

 

[SilverFlight]

Desrick wasn't happy. Losing the elders meant losing community leaders, knowledge and wisdom. He doubted Lassard would be kind to them if they were ever captured. Still, Desrick felt he would be arguing for marks if he pressed this. Still, perhaps there was a way...
"You do have one more advantage." He added after the decision had been reached. "You know the underground. Your enemies only have a map, which cannot tell them the strength of the stone, nor the stability of the passages. If you make it difficult enough, they may not capture those who stay behind. They are counting on surprise to aid them in the fight for Myst, they will be in a hurry."
As they were dismissed, and Desrick turned to go he looked back at Ulviraerithra, Lohr's mother as if he wanted to say something to her. Eventually though, he continued to the doors. Now was not the time.

He wished to stay behind and talk strategy, plan with the elders, but he felt he would be less welcome that he would like, and, he had his team to prepare.
"We need to get back to the others, leave as soon as possible and warn Myst of the coming attack."
Zazz Flutterby

Back at Lohr's family residence Pyrrhus was clean and dry and telling funny stories while accenting the words with notes from his lute. When the party returned he looked up hopefully.
"And? Will they go?"
Desrick told them what happened in the council room:
"Most will go, though the elders refused. They will stay to try and buy time, else protect the most treasured elements of the city. We should prepare to leave too. Crispin,"
The wood elf started at his name and stepped forward.
"I need you to get up to the surface, send a bird to the nearest village and ask for mounts, Benruss stags if they have them."
Crispin nodded. "Won't be a moment then."
"The rest of you, take what rest you can. We will leave in four marks."
Flutterby Zazz Lioness075 Naberius LazyDaze Goonfire

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Leandra LaFrae	Nickname: Lea
Race: Tabaxi - Beastwoman	Home Country: Cyndara
Occupation: Huntress / Astronomer Apprentice	Equipment: Knapsack, Bow, Quiver of Arrows (19/20), Twin Daggers, Collapsible Spyglass, Soiled Sketchbook, Charcoal Pieces

Spoiler: Falarion's Appearance

As their small group quietly concluded their supper, Leandra stepped away from them with Falarion at her heels and a bar of soap in hand.
Determined to be clean before the rest of their group returned, Leandra exited the domicile and let herself be led to the baths. Just as she was entering, she saw Crow and Pyrrhus leave and Leandra exhaled a sigh of relief, as this meant she would not know anybody at the public baths. While she felt inclined to hide her scarred arm and hand from the group, Leandra cared very little if these underground elves she would likely never see again saw her old injuries.

Timidly, Leandra sought out the heaviest fog area and then quickly stripped down before slinking into the baths, more than aware that she was the only furry being here and the only one with a tail.
Falarion happily laid down beside the bath, enjoying the warm air and licking himself clean.
Cleaning her left arm, Leandra winced as spasms of pain shot up her arm randomly. She furrowed her brows and held back tears when she tried to use her left hand to wash her right arm, struggling to keep the bar of soap from falling into the bath.
By the time she was done, Leandra felt weary and she slowly sank in the warm waters, closing her eyes and trying desperately to relax.
Behind her, Falarion began preening his feathers, nonchalantly leaving broken ones on the floor for someone else to take care of.

After she was done bathing, Leandra carefully re-wrapped her left hand and forearm, concealing her grievous burn scars once more. She donned her single leather glove and then finished dressing, savoring the feeling of being clean once more.

Returning to Lohr's home with Falarion now perched on her shoulder, Leandra was pleased to see she had returned on time with the rest of the group returning at the same time.

Inside, Leandra listened to the conclusion of the council meeting and she furrowed her brows when she heard that the elders would stay behind. She did not like the idea of anyone having to make a sacrifice and she opened her mouth to say so, but decided against it and shut her mouth. She really knew little about this culture and for all she knew, this was an acceptable course of action to take. As per usual, she was really out of her depth here.

Shaking her head, Leandra quietly slipped out of the room and found a bed to call her own for what little time she had to rest.

SilverFlight Naberius Zazz Flutterby LazyDaze Goonfire

 

[Naberius]

Alistair reluctantly accepted the soap, frowning intensely at the idea of public bathing. To him, such an activity should be conducted alone to maximize comfort and relaxation, but he would just have to make due. He placed his empty plate and utensils wherever the others had deposited theirs and made his way outside towards where his new... 'friends' indicated the bathing area was. Finding whatever pool had the least amount of people, he glared at them until a number vacated one end of it. Then, he encased the small section in a veil of shadows to give himself some much needed privacy while he quickly scrubbed away the grim of their travels.

Once he finished up, he clothed himself again and dismissed the barrier, paying no mind to the looks he was most certainly receiving.

Back inside, he snuck through the door as quietly as possible while the others were conversing and posted himself up nearby. He didn't say anything but he paid attention and tried to understand the situation as best he could given what information they were sharing. He shook his head at the elders' declaration of staying behind, not quite understanding why anyone would stay anywhere that could possibly be overrun with enemies before too long. Then again, this was their home. And he had no real home such as they did, just an old shack in the woods. Though at least the citizens would mostly be evacuated, and a partial victory still counted for something.

SilverFlight Zazz Lioness075 Flutterby Goonfire LazyDaze Baconhands

 

[Flutterby]

Ora met the yellow gaze of the elder calmly, offering only a small tilt of her head and saddened smile. Now wasn't the time to recount how they had ended up there. She tried not to think that there would never be, with the elders of Lohr's homeland.

She didn't attempt to stop Azaria, in fact, she was glad that the other woman stepped forward to press the council. And achieve the result they wanted.. almost. She could tell Desrick wasn't happy, and she knew that if she stopped to think for too long, she wouldn't be either. They were dismissed, but Ora paused after a few steps to wait for Desrick, who was hesitating with his eyes focused on Councilor Ulviraerithra. There was something on his mind, but she couldn't tell if it had to do with the Council, or the other title the cold woman held.

Back in the residence, Ora hung back slightly. She waited until Desrick had dispersed the group, and then tried to catch Crispin's attention.
"Do you want company?" She asked softly, glancing at the others who were beginning to go about their business again. "It's alright if you don't, plenty to do here. But you don't have to go alone, if you don't want to."
SilverFlight

 

[LazyDaze]

Iolas watched with wonder as Allistair demonstrated the mechanics of his ring. Of course, during his life he had not seen anything like it back when he was still in the cities before his self exile. He doubted he would be able to understand it all within one glance, but it was still interesting none the less. After he was sent away, Lohr asked about...well him. Iolas didn't wince, like he normally would, but he paused. Standing upright, he entertained the thought. Generally, he would prefer to avoid conversations regarding himself, especially one so personal in nature. He had already explained, more detailed than he would have liked, his past to a number of his comrades. However, in particular, he had always felt he owed it to Lohrithe specifically to divulge his exact sins. That also happened to be half the reason he didn't feel the urge to represent the party in the looming political discussion that was likely underway. Traveling with his new companions didn't put him at ease about his past, but he had learned to accept parts of it. Here he was, facing another uncomfortable battle.

"Well....,"

******

Those who splintered off with the hope of saving the people of this city returned. To be honest, they did better than expected. Of course, Iolas' imagined that he would be able to take the news better than most. It was rare that anything went according to plan. Despite being mentally prepared for the news he couldn't say he understood their customs; in spite of that, he could fathom why some would stay...he doubted they could buy much time, or that they needed to in the first place. Cyndarian pride was a powerful thing. Despite the overall success, he couldn't help but feel like that this was a failed mission.

"I'm actually happy you all have returned. If Lohrithe feeds us anymore we'll be confused as kin to Desrick...I weep for my pristine figure."

Naberius Zazz SilverFlight Flutterby Baconhands Lioness075

 

[Baconhands]

Meera had been stood on Pyrrhus' shoulder, listening intently to the centaur's stories with very little mind for anything else in the room. The shapeshifter tried to make a note of everything single one; his lute playing helped in this regard. It was only as the rest returned that Meera hopped off of the centaur and turned back into her human form, eager to hear what the others had to say.
To an extent, it went in one ear and out of the other. The young shapeshifter didn't really have much of a mind for politics, and the only real take away she got from Desrick's report was that some of the Drow were staying and some were leaving. She hoped that was the main point - maybe she could ask Pyrrhus later for a better explanation.

At the mention of a need for someone to go to the surface and carry a message to a close village, Meera raised a voluntary hand.
"I can do that!" She said, leaping to her feet with the energy of a foal and taking a couple of steps towards Crispin. "That is... if you need a bird at all. If you don't need a bird I'd still like to go. I miss the fresh air of the surface too."
Her eyes drifted to Ora, and she sheepishly added, "If that's alright with you as well?"
SilverFlight Flutterby

 

[SilverFlight]

Crispin brightened at the sound of Ora's voice and turned with a timidly delighted smile.
"Of course! I'd love the company, and well, navigating the tunnels would be better with two heads."
When Meera jumped up too Crispin faltered only a little. "Ah, yes, the more the merrier."
He certainly didn't want the young shapeshifter to feel unwelcome.
"Come on then, we should get going."

The tunnels were not easy to figure out, but eventually Crispin found that any path that lead up, sooner or later joined a central route through the largest part of the city.
He marveled at the wondrous construction, so unlike Dwerstand.
"You know, your people and the drow could learn a lot from one another, they may even get along." He glanced over at Ora as they walked. "Though with the drow...that would certainly be a feat."
It felt like an eternity since they had seen the sky, and this was the first time in months Crispin had seen his home.
The entrance to the city was not obvious, purposefully hidden within a winding canyon sunk deep into the forest floor. Crispin only noticed they were outside when he saw a sliver of moonlight trickle out onto the stone at his feet.
Perhaps it was because they had been in the dark of the underground for so long, but to him, the star looked brighter and more beautiful than they ever had before.
The plants glowed softly in a rainbow of colours, and above, birds flitted from branch to branch, bright orange and blue points winking in and out of the foliage.
Crispin pulled a map from his pocket and unfolded it carefully.
"The drow city is here, so the closest village is...to the Southwest. I was going to send a messenger bird but...Meera, are you sure you want to go?"
If Crispin was being honest, it would be safer for her if she stayed away from the tunnels Evereach was trying to send an army through. Still, he couldn't help but look worried.
Flutterby Baconhands

Desrick glanced at Iolas with a raised eyebrow. "Did you just call me fat?"
He turned to Lohr a little more serious. "If the elders would allow it, I would like to help them with their defenses. At the very least we gathered information about the high elves' strategies, battle tactics and weaponry. I think they should know."

LazyDaze Zazz Lioness075 Naberius Goonfire

 

[Baconhands]

Meera didn't notice Crispin falter; she was convinced she had to put herself forward for something, and was concentrating on not messing up volunteering. After Crispin confirmed she could come along, she felt her shoulders relax, and a small smile tug at the edge of her lips. She was going to be useful. And that was fine by her.
As they entered the tunnels, the shapeshifter kept close to the other two and didn't make much of an attempt to contribute to any conversation. Occasionally, she would try whistling a tune but would not keep up the attempt for longer than a couple of seconds, as if realizing she was doing it aloud.
When the glow of the surface reached her eyes, Meera made a break for the entrance, a broad grin plastered across her features as she stepped outside. Moments later, she was a raven and had taken a wing. By the gods it felt good to feel the wind beneath her wings once more.
At Crispin's question she willed herself to calm and landed in front of him. She cocked her head to the side.
"What do you mean? I..." She trailed off as she studied his expression. "I... no I... well if you need a message carried I can do it. I... honestly I wanted to be on the surface and out of the tunnels and the earth."
SilverFlight Flutterby

 

[Flutterby]

Ora hid a smile as Crispin quickly recovered to include Meera in their trip. As pleased as she was that he was excited for her to be along, she was just as pleased to be reminded of his kindness.

As they walked, Ora looked around her, just as Crispin was.
She gave a soft hum, a small smile, and agreed, "I think you're right that we would get along, whatever that may say about my people."
There was a mischievous glint to her eyes, but no ill-will. The drow were a people with customs and beliefs, like any other. She didn't have it in her heart to judge them for it.

As they stepped out into the open air, Ora drew in a long, deep breath and let her eyes wander up to the stars, over the vibrant plants and animals, up to the moon again. She had forgotten the land's beauty, and felt a pang of guilt. Quickly, she scolded herself for the guilt- how could you expect to remember this under the light of the sun? It's unimaginable, when in the summerlands.

With a quick shake of her head, she brought herself back to the task at hand and looked past Crispin's shoulder at the map. Ora looked up at Meera, and said calmly, "He's just worried about safety. With everything happening, we can't be too careful. I think you're more than capable, we just need you to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, you know?"
SilverFlight Baconhands

 

[SilverFlight]

Crispin bit his lip. "All right then. It should take you about 2 hours to fly there, another 3 to come back with the mounts. Follow Atella's Arrow, that star there, the point of the cluster. Do not stop for anything. I won't say I'm not going to worry about you...but truth be told it's probably more dangerous staying here. So, good luck."

Once Meera was off and away Crispin looked back at Ora with a tired smile. "Things are really going to start happening aren't they?..apart from the battle of Delan I...I've never fought like this before...for survival...are you doing all right?"
Baconhands Flutterby


With all that happened Desrick did not rest much in the four hours he had given them, not that he could have slept if he wanted to. Hi heart was still pounding. He barely had time to clean up (again) before the first alarm sounded.
Desrick rushed out of the house to the sound of feet thundering down the tunnel. He caught the arm of a draw scout.
"The summerland elves...they are here!"
Desrick cursed. The evacuation was not complete.
"Tell me exactly where they are coming from." He drew out a map and would not let the poor scout leave until he had given them the information.

If some of the party had followed him out he lead them back inside to the others.
"They are here." He said grimly, and he did not need to explain who.
"Pyrrhus, take Crow and Leandra and go help the evacuation, anyone willing to help can go as well, the rest will follow me to the war leaders. We have to slow Lassard's army while the drow escape."
Desrick turned to Lohr. "Can you take me to the council?"

Lioness075 Naberius Zazz Goonfire LazyDaze Flutterby

 

[Zazz]

Ulviraerithra cut in for her son, having heard the commotion outside. "We will leave for the armory. Tluthaonar, have the miners collapse the east tunnels. Kierza, make sure the children are out, then meet us there. Lohrithe, gather your group and get them fitted with armor. Everyone, go." The other councilors dispersed at once. Caldorithe approached his partner and murmured something in drowish, then was off.

Azaria scooped up Falarion and passed him to Leandra, then followed the rest of the group out. Out in the cavernous city, People were rushing to the upper levels, single file, to various hidden exits. The armory was not far, and council members trickled in quickly as they arrived. As Lohrithe did his best to find armor that fit Leandra, Azaria found a row of full quivers. The arrows were well-crafted, but the bows... The bows were unique to the drow. Some were plain, while others bore the design of the head of a chaurus as a shield on one side. They were surprisingly light. Azaria took two, along with two quivers. The assassin attached one of each to her gear, and handed the other shielded bow to Leandra. "Take this. Your bow is ready for the fire." The second quiver she would keep for Ora.

Ulviraerithra and the other councilors gathered around one of the stone tables. Not all of them were present; Lohrithe's mother knew who was needed and who was not, as did Caldorithe, who was playing messenger as he did.

___

Crispin and Ora were interrupted by the pattering of small feet, followed by the appearance of drow children. A few of them stopped to stare at Ora, in particular, but were quickly ushered outward by an adult. The children looked around in wonder, likely having never left the safety of the caves until now. Whispers were silenced as the group grew, and a few adult drow, armed heavily, led them into the forest. Even the children carried small weapons with their packs.

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Leandra LaFrae	Nickname: Lea
Race: Tabaxi - Beastwoman	Home Country: Cyndara
Occupation: Huntress / Astronomer Apprentice	Equipment: Knapsack, Bow, Quiver of Arrows (19/20), Twin Daggers, Collapsible Spyglass, Soiled Sketchbook, Charcoal Pieces

Spoiler: Falarion's Appearance

After their historian visit, Leandra was bouncing on her feet alongside Alistair and Lohr, excitedly talking to Alistair about what they had discovered. Her tail continued dancing this way and that, her antics easily catching the gaze of each Drow they passed.

By the time they were nearing Lohr's home, Leandra's ears perked at the sound of an alarm and shouting. Giving Alistair and Lohr a worried look, she dashed ahead and got inside Lohr's home just as Desrick said 'they' were here. Leandra gulped at this and worriedly looked about the room, but felt as if she were the only one starting to inwardly panic.
Hearing she would assist with the evacuations, Leandra heaved a sigh of relief, thinking she would be far safer doing that. She really did not want to have to face anyone in combat again after her previous attempts had all gone awry.

Except she never really got a chance to help with those evacuations as Lohr's scary mother told him that he was to get his group fitted for armor. Fear creeped up yet again and Leandra gulped as Azaria put Falarion into her arms.
Sensing her anxiety, Falarion looked up at Leandra and meowed before rubbing his head against her shoulder.
Too nervous to smile, Leandra hugged Falarion and then quietly followed after the group, now taking to hiding behind Alistair instead of Ora.

Inside the armory, Leandra stood aimlessly in a corner, watching the others go about business as usual while she felt completely lost. She glanced around at the armor and weapons, worriedly hugging Falarion still, who meowed for relief and began squirming a bit. Letting him go, Leandra hugged herself while Falarion bounded a few paces away before sitting down and promptly beginning to clean himself.
When Azaria handed her a new bow, Leandra nervously took it and then removed her simple hunting bow from her back to compare the two.
Confused by Azaria's phrasing, Leandra asked, "F-fire? Are we burning my old bow?" Even as she asked the question, she held her old bow close to her, not entirely keen on burning something from her home.
Though, Leandra took this moment to look closely at the Drow bow and her eyes widened at the detailed shield design on it. Distracted momentarily from the idea of burning her old bow, Leandra set hers aside on a box and then began running a claw over the shield design. "Wow," she breathed.

It was hard to ignore the others messing around with the armor nearby and Leandra glanced around before she remembered the real reason they had come here: to be fitted with armor. Though, Leandra did not entirely understand what it meant to be fitted with any armor.
Beside her was an armor rack with what seemed to be the same type of armor everyone else was donning. Curious, Leandra approached it and then proceeded to poke the armor, causing it to make a small rattling noise and startling Falarion to leap into the air and start flying in place. He meowed his disdain at Leandra, who turned back to Azaria and asked, "Um, how does one get 'fitted with armor'?" Better yet, Leandra wondered how she was even supposed to don the armor.

Zazz SilverFlight Naberius

 

[Flutterby]

Ora watched Meera take off with a small frown, before her attention shifted back to the trees, then to Crispin when she heard his voice.
Her brows tented, and she reached out to take his hand gently.
"I think.. I think that the fighting will be over soon. It feels like the start of the final act of a play." She offered a small smile at the analogy.
"I am tired of fighting. Sometimes.. it feels like this is the same fight I've been in my while life. And that makes it more tiring, I think." She looked up, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"But it's a good fight, and I'm happy to fight it if it means that our world becomes better. If it means.. that we can have peace, after, to enjoy together." There was an image, in her mind, of a house and a warm fire and of Crispin with graying hairs at his temples...
She quickly chased it away with a few quick blinks.

"I guess I mean that I am alright, for now, but I'll be more alright when this is all over and I can go back to being a lowly blacksmith instead of a warrior-wordsmith." She nodded to herself, and then looked at him a little more closely.
"What about you?" She knew that time was marching on, and that there were preparations to be made, but to stand out here in the soft light of the mystlands and talk was such a gift..


The sound of the children reached her ears far, far too soon. She held their gazes calmly, but quickly looked to their adult escorts for news. One whispered, with a knowing look, that the summerland elves were already sighted in the tunnels. Ora turned back to Crispin.
"They were too fast. The evacuation isn't finished. We need to make more time." She glanced at the group of children, disappearing into the forest. The entire group was heavily armed, escorted by adults, but something twisted in her gut to see such young beings forced from their homes. Quickly, she looked back to Crispin.
"I'm going back to help in the tunnels. Where will you be?"
SilverFlight

 

[LazyDaze]

The swords on Iolas's burned at his sides when he Desrick brought news of the Summerland elves arriving well before anyone could have anticipated. Instantly, he knew what group he would be joining, and what he would have to do, but how could he stave off the enemy, survive a war without killing anyone. Despite being an armed soldier, Iolas despised fighting immensely. You could say he had killed, and fought enough adversaries for one lifetime. Yet here he was at the forefront of another battle.

He couldn't help but feel a small tinge of guilt that it was his race of people causing all of this chaos and destruction. Many of them, reflections of his former self. The biggest guilt he had, was that he wanted to save them in spite of the pain they caused his friends, and himself. Furthermore, despite the fact that there was not a single connection that linked him with his race, other than appearance, he couldn't help but entertain the thought that he could convince them all to join the other side. He hoped that one single word would be enough to convince an entire army they had been lead astray. But alas, those were personal fantasies that even the most stoic were allowed to have in infrequent doses.

"...Well, let's be on our way. I should try my hand at annoying someone other than you all," Iolas said with a smile as his hands rested on the hilt of his blades. To the council, to war.

SilverFlight Zazz

 

[Baconhands]

"Two hours there, three hours back. Follow the star and don't stop for nothing. Got it!" she beamed at the both of them. "I'll see you in a bit!"
Taking a couple of hops, she leaped into the air and took flight.
Five hours, she thought. No. I'm going to do it in four. The raven started flapping her wings as hard as she could, pushing herself to go faster. Got to prove that I'm useful. Got to show that I can be part of the team.
-----
By the time she arrived at the town, exhaustion had almost settled in. Regaining her breath over a few minutes, she straightened her back, and headed into the town, looking for any evidence she had made it there in less than two hours. A grin tugged at her lips when she discovered she'd done it in one and a half.
The negotiations for the mounts were straightforward as well - the price demanded was fair, and Meera theorized that she didn't have a lot of time to haggle. She paid the merchant and started leading the stags back to the others.
SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

"Together."
Crispin's smile nearly outshone the glow of the forest.
Ora spoke about becoming a blacksmith once more and he gave her a look of exaggerated surprise.
"But you do "warrior wordsmith" so well!"
He didn't have time to say more because the children came up through the tunnels at that moment, and they brought chilling news with them.
"I'm going back to help in the tunnels. Where will you be?"
Crispin already had his bow in hand. "Right beside you." He replied, his expression determined.
"We should get back to the others, I doubt we have much time."
Flutterby

~*~*~

Desrick followed closely behind Ulviraerithra as they filed out of the house. Pyrrhus was still tired, but he hid it well. His blades were strapped to his sides, well within reach. Everywhere people were running, but most was with purpose. It was not hard to frighten most drow.

A slight shimmering against one wall was all the warning the party had. Three mages uncloacked themselves, invisible from their light spell and fell upon them.
Desrick ran to meet them, turning a blade meant for Lohr's mother, he turned it poorly and caught a gash on his arm before shoving the man away.
"They've sent their mages in first! Those who cannot fight get in the center!"

The other two mages tried to flank them, their hands lighting up with fire. Desrick hefted his axe and bared his teeth. They would not be able to move unless the mages were subdued. He looked for Lohr, knowing that together, they could win.
Pyrrhus drew his blades, lashing out at another attacker with his hoof, enough to deter them from trying again for those that were unarmed, but not fast enough to catch them.

"Fight fair you brigands!" He cried with an offended tone.
Two more mages appeared, these ones wielded blades also.
"Come on!" Desrick roared. "Anyone who tries will choke on their own blood!"

((Go ahead and wrote for the baddies here))

Zazz Flutterby LazyDaze Baconhands Goonfire Lioness075 Naberius

 

[Goonfire]

A few hours’ rest was welcome for Crow. A few thousand summer elves attacking, not so much. He struggled to hurry up and prepare, falling behind a bit. “Leandra, this way!” After adjusting his new drow cuirass, he bolted to catch up, running into the fray as Pyrrhus and Desrick clashed with three cloaked mages. He evened the odds initially, using his Lucerne hammer to crack one Evereach mage in the hands as he cast. The crunching of bone and sight of dislocated fingers preceded the dimming and fading of a nasty fire spell. While that one tried to salvage his wounded hand, Crow followed up with a nudge to Pyrrhus’ attacker, using the broad side of the weapon to carefully heft the swordsman back and give the centaur more room to strike.

Two more adversaries appeared, causing the inquisitor to narrow his eyes in dismay. “This is Evereach. They will never fight fair, but we will punish them for it!” he asserted boldly, measuredly waving his polearm between the two newcomers to deter them from lunging directly at him.

SilverFlight Lioness075

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe grabbed the nearest shield as Azaria cut the throat of the man Desrick had shoved. The councilors present hissed in near unision and brandished various weapons. The large drow ran after Desrick, sword in hand, and held his new shield to block an incoming fire spell.

"Good thing chaurus armor is resistant to magic," he grunted, grinning sideways at his great green partner. "Let's go; I'll cover you."

One of the lightlander mages began to scream. It looked as though he were clawing at his own skin for no reason, until out of his mouth and eyes the fire that was consuming his innards escaped, burning the man alive. His body crumpled, his clothes turning to ash. Tluthaonar's intense gaze lifted from the dead man and turned to the third. "Fire is not a toy, child."

Coldarrin called out in drowish, and a group of men trickled into the armory, grabbing shields and spears. They formed shield walls at each entrance to the large rooms.