RP: Yelrona's arrival

SUMMARY: Yelrona arrives at the Alexandros Gates after a long journey, is greeted by two local elves, and learns disquieting news about demonic activity that just might be connected to her quest to find her father!

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It's Tariday, Firetide 27, early evening. The Eldwyn Road meanders continuously around hills, wilderness, and farmland, though it is occasionally broken by fingerlets from the great Tornmawr. At one point, the road crosses the Tornmawr itself, which takes place by use of a ferry. Towards the north, the landscape of rolling hills and farmland breaks into denser forest.

Towards the south is the city itself, flags rising far above the walls. A common enough sight, but new for Yelrona, a young elf from a small Mythwood Llyrinasi settlement. She approaches the Alexandrian Gates, a bit wide-eyed, but cheerfully enough.

The guards seem to be checking people over and welcoming them into Alexandria. One stands out from the rest though, as she's not a guard, but Sorscha the elf. Shorter than the rest of the guard, she looks over everyone, making sure they're doing all right, even as she passes Yelrona. "Greetings, and welcome to Alexandria." She says softly.

Yelrona walks like someone who has been walking for a long time and could use a rest. All of which is true, though she is plugging on through a combination of determination and enthusiasm. She pauses for a moment when she sees the Gate guards, checking them over in turn... but only for a moment, before continuing towards them with no further hesitation. She smiles at the sight of a fellow Llyranesi and again at the greeting. "Thank you." She pauses again, then adds "Any recommendations you might have to offer about food and lodging would be more than welcome... I suspect sleeping on street corners is frowned upon?"

"I would suggest you sit down first," Sorscha says, gesturing towards a hay bale nearby. "But sleeping on the street is a bad idea. New to Alexandria, I imagine?""

Yelrona nods easily, slumping onto the proferred haybale with a remarkable grace that nevertheless fails to conceal obvious exhaustion. "Yes. I've heard stories, of course. But I'm accustomed to rather less elaborate cities." She tilts her head at Sorscha and continues "I gather you've been here quite a while?"

Sorscha smiles. '"Not as long as you might think. Been in Silvermoon most of my life. Got married, had children, then grandchildren." She then looks to the walls. "And...then Alexandria disappeared, along with some of my family. So... I'm here to make sure they're okay. I haven't found them yet though."

The giant looms above the travelers, each stride threatening to crush the poor travelers under his... oh, wait, no. It's just Mikilos walking with some gnomes, chatting idly. The shorter folk turn from the main path, heading off on their own way with a friendly wave as the atypically tall elf continues along the road, raising a hand in greeting as he spies others ahead.

Yelrona nods at Sorscha's story... she's heard similar on the road. "I hope you find them," she replies sincerely. "What were they --" she cuts off at the sounds of approaching footsteps, her head whipping around in a moment. "What's -- oh." She calms down almost immediately once she sees that Mikilos is no threat. "My apologies," she calls to the exceptionally tall elf. "I meant no offense, it's just that you're the first giant I've ever met!"

Mikilos quirks a brow, and smiles to Yelrona. "Quite alright, halflings often have that reaction." Turning his focus towards Sorscha, he nods politely. "You're looking for someone, miss? Perhaps I might be of assistance. Whom exactly are you seeking?"

Sorscha says, "Valerius, her husband and her children. I've looked in Alexandria, but I have to admit, I haven't seen them in a few decades. It was mostly a calling that brought me here." She says with a shrug. "So, my journey isn't really to find them anymore. More to help out...with the current demon problem."

Mikilos nods, and considers. "I know a few Val's, but most are quite single, and I don't believe any have children."

"I'm looking for my father in much the same way," Yelrona admits. Privately, she wonders how honest she's being about that. Certainly, it was her father's extended delay in returning from his latest adventure that drove her out of her mother's Temple and onto the road, but truthfully, that was as much excuse as reason. That's hardly the primary point of interest in Sorscha's comment, though. "I apologize for my ignorance but," she continues, "demon problem?"

Sorscha says, "Yeah. Demon problem. I encountered a few a couple of nights ago. And no, I don't mean those gigantic hulking Balrogs that rip apart the earth and whips buildings to splinters, I mean little ones that can be controlled and such. felt a little helpless though. Couldn't even hold onto my sword."

Mikilos frowns, and nods to Yelrona. "Seems there's always a few around for various reasons, but recent weeks have seen a sharp increase. Demons taking over human bodies as spies, against the person's will. To make matters worse, they've been layer with a spell to kill the host if the demon is forcefully removed." He glances to Sorscha. "Or perhaps you're meaning a different worry than the one I'd meant."

Yelrona's hand moves gracefully and instinctively to her weapon when Sorscha mentions being unabe to hold on to her sword, then she releases it intentionally and places her hands in her lap. "Demons," she repeats with an expression of distaste, "suggest necromancers are active here. VERY active, from what you're saying," she adds, nodding to Mikilos. "What steps are being taken to eliminate them?"

"Infernomancers." Mikilos corrects idly. "Necromancers would be zombies and skeletons and assorted undead. And yes, there are quite a few efforts under way, though with the high danger to the hosts, not to mention the distractiosn in Rune and Dragonier, it's been slow progress."

Yelrona waves away the distinction between necromancy and infernomancy as though it were a trivial technicality, but nods at the rest of Miki's comment. "I hadn't realized such dark magics were so active here. Perhaps I've come to the right place after all." The retrieval work her father did for the Acquisitionists specialized in necromantic artifacts... perhaps the increased demon activity was related to his disapearance?

Mikilos shrugs. "Typically, they aren't. But things in Alexandros are seldom typical for long."

Yelrona laughs, genuinely amused. "Which would make atypicality typical, I suppose. The temple scholars were fond of such paradoxes... I wasn't, for the most part."

Mikilos grins, and shrugs again. "Paradox seems to define Alexandira pretty well. It is it's own place, and follows its own rules, yet is quite similar to almost every where else."

Yelrona crosses her right leg up and pulls off the black leather boot, out of which she pours some dust. "I suppose we're all like that, aren't we? Quite similar in some ways, but each following our own rules." She gives a one-shouldered shrug and a chuckle. "For my own part, one way in which I resemble most travellers is my need for food and rest. May I offer to stand you a meal in exchange for suggestions regarding a decent inn?" And, she thinks privately, perhaps learn more about this demon situation.

Mikilos laughs. "Well, I differ in NOT needing food or rest. A holdover from the seige in Sendor; I made a point to avoid being hungry ever again. But for inns, the Fernwood in the market is a solid choice. There are plenty of others, but most are suited towards specific tastes. The Fernwood suits most everyone, if not always perfectly."

Yelrona nods. "A noble goal! If, admittedly, difficult to achieve on long journeys. I'll try to emulate your fine example moving forward. And the Fernwood it shall be," she agrees, pulling her boot back on. "If not food, perhaps a flagon or two of good wine? Well, as good as my purse can manage, anyway?"

Mikilos smiles, and glances towards the sun's position. "A welcome offer, but I'd best be getting back to my shop. If ever you're up the Mountain Road, feel free to drop by. It's under the giant sword, easy enough to find."

"Appropriate enough for a giant," 'rona acknowledges with a playful smirk. "I will indeed. And I won't keep you longer," she adds, returning to her feet smoothly. "A pleasure meeting you."