Of Felwood and Demons

Log Info

• Title: Of Felwood and Demons
  
• GM: Whirlpool
• Characters: Harkashan, Seldan
  
• Location: Alexandria - Guild Meeting Hall
  
• Summary: Telessa and a Guild Associate meet with Harkashan and Seldan to speak of politics, risk, demons, and the Felwoods.

Both Harkahsan and Seldan have received a message from the Guild: there's someone who wants to speak to them regarding their work in the Felwood. The song, the spires, and more.

Seems that they're from the Mythwood, and coming here to see them. That's why they're both coming here, and willbe shown to the same, non-descript room in the building.

For all the wonder and beauty of the Mythwood, there's something to be said about welcoming someone like that into one of the many more boring meeting rooms within the Guild's building. Harkashan did not seem to object too much on the other hand. Hearing that someone wished to speak to him on the matter of the Felwood Forest had him returning to Alexandria post-haste.

Once there, lead into the chambers, he finds himself there wearing his typical full gear. Armor and all. Standing around the table that no doubt is present within the chambers, he is using the time to do some counting of lava-stones in one of his pouches. They're strewn across the table, and he's returning them to the pouch one at a time. Inspecting each for flaws or issues. A few have been put aside for showing cracks due to rough travel.

That is easy enough for Seldan, although he does not often set foot here. He's dressed down, today, the armor traded in for a shirt, trousers and boots, with the blue-and-silver open-front robe over all, only Reunion at his hip. He, too, had come at once on receiving the message, and greets Harkashan gravely. "Peace upon your nest, Deathsinger."

You're both asked by the guild attendant to wait a bit. The visitor will be shown in shortly -- and so they are. You both recognize her as the songstress you met in the Mythwood. Seems she's come back for a visit.

"Your city! So enchanting. After two hundred and fifty four years, it better be." That was the last time she left the Mythwood, apparently. She seems excited. "There's so much to see! I am told I can ride on a skyship. I am very happy abouit it! But that is not why I came out today, of course. No, I came out because I believe we have created an appropriate hymn to Eluna's grace for the spires."

The guild attendant clears his throat, briefly, and says, "And also, because the authorities and powers that be of Alexandria and the Mythwood have decided to place their full bbacking behind an attempt to secure said spires. More on that in a moment, however."

"Peace upon your nest, Skyguardian." He answers Seldan with a bit more lisp to his voice than usual. He's been spending a lot of time around the Sith-makar, so some 'draconic accent' slips in just a little. Though the Speaker and Shaman manages to keep it mostly at bay.

"Ah, Keeper Telassa. Peace upon your nest. It is wonderful to see you once more." Harkashan then finally notes, as the Elfin woman steps in. Bowing his head in respect to her. "Hrrrm, interesting. I am curious to hear it." He remarks on the matter of the Hymn.

When she mentions the backing on the matter of securing the spires, he adds; "That is most fortuitous to hear." But is patient to let her return to the matter of that hymn.

"Her light upon your path, and that of your people, Keeper," Seldan echoes, rising when she enters and waiting until she has taken a seat to re-seat himself.

The news of Alexandria's decision doesn't seem to shock the paladin too deeply, beyond a lifted set of ginger eyebrows. "Alexandria would then reclaim the Felwood," he murmurs. "A mighty task, and a worthy one, but one not lightly undertaken." That is all he says on the matter, although the incline of his head suggests that he is thinking much more.

"But come. I would hear this hymn. As you have seen, I am not a man of music, and thus is your aid in unlocking the mystery all the more welcome."

"Yes, I am happy to perform it for both you," beams Telassa, the accessories in her hair catching in the light as she sits up straight. She clears her throat, casts a glance to her attending, non-descript (studiously non-descript, actualy) guildsmate.

"... in a moment, please," he says, then adds, "More the Mythwood," he explains, "wishes to take back what belongs to it. Alexandria and the Mythwood are moving towards union steadily, as was agreed, and to remove a threat from them is our obligation. Long has much been asked of the wardens of the Mythwood, we would hope that we can make their labors better known, and easier as well.... but you both have had experience with the spires. We should like if you took point here, in so much as you can, in addition to helping ensure no one oversteps their authority or bounds."

Taking note of the guildsmate, Harkashan tilts his head ever so slightly. Telassa will play her music in a moment, but what is being asked of him by the guildsmate is more... curious.

"I understand what Mythwood desires in this. Removing something that has kept them busy. If Felwood were no longer Fel, Mythwood's power and futures would increase exponentially from where it lies now. And Alexandria would have a powerful ally if this were to come true." Or a great rival. But best not to mention that now.

"I have no problems running point with Seldan on the matter of the Spires. But policing this matter is entering into bond and politics that I am neither knowledgeable or skilled enough to perform - depending on the 'threats' to authority and bounds you are worried about." He pauses, before he adds: "More importantly, I travel too much away from Alexandria to perform such a service on the long-term. But I presume you are asking this within the context of expeditions to the Spires?"

"The political piece shall be mine, Deathsinger," Seldan immediately replies, with a very small smile. "Though little do I speak of it, or make use of it, in truth do I command a great deal of respect within the City. I shall aid you with the spires as well, but if I can ease your way, and theirs, that shall I do."

He nods as well to the explanation about the Mythwood's desire. "A worthy task, and a mighty one, and one in which I am pleased to be of aid."

"And, by and large, we're not talking about politics. We're talking about your fellows. We've had a number of problems with bounds being overstepped. The situation, given the impending union, is delicate. We don't need any, say, demons being summoned to be questioned about matters in the Felwood. What I am asking, what the Council is hoping for it, is to help us rebuild some trust that has been cost. The wards over Alexandria, as Seldan well knows, that block teleportation stem from the entirely too many adventurers getting incautious about their summoning, their teleporting, and more. We can't afford a mistake like that here, not with things so delicate."

Telassa makes a face at some of those descriptions.

The bureaucrat, who hasn't even given you a name, continues, "The politics are motly out of our hands, but if we can keep someone from getting a little too ... What's the word ... "

Harkashan slowly looks towards Seldan. The wards over Alexandria. Their purpose were, to his understanding, far different from what is being described. He understands a state not wishing teleportation in and out of its city for various reasons. It can disrupt trade economy, it can create threat to national security. But... were 'Adventurers' summoning demons?

The Sith-makar was not here. He doesn't know the history through fact. So, he looks to Seldan to speak of this.

Seldan's stony expression, and his incline of the head, is a carefully controlled reaction that speaks volumes to his knowledge on the topic. "I understand," he replies, slowly and thunderously. "There have been incidents of adventurers being foolish with the Mythwood, or do you but seek to forestall?" _Do I break heads?_ lies the unspoken question in his words.

He turns then to Harkashan, and at last seats himself in one of the wooden chairs in the room. "It is as the Keeper and our Guild representative say," he begins. "When first I came, there was a time when enemies teleported freely into the city, injured and threatened innocents, to serve their own ends. Worse still, some became entrenched, and through wilfullness, foolishness, or ignorance, some adventurers decided that summoning or making pacts with fiends within the city would serve their interests. I know personally of four separate incidents. One resulted in a Duke of the Hells walking the halls of the Dreamer's holy Temple, and another resulted in two balors savaging the Alexandrian countryside. I was personally witness to both incidents. I knew of the summoning, and refused them aid, but kept vigil against error, and thus did I and three staunch allies bring down the balors."

Harkashan rumbles a sound and nods his head. "I have no intentions of making such mistakes myself. Thank you for informing me of what I am missing of Alexandria's history." He notes, before turning his head towards the Guildmate.

"I will leave such matters into Seldan's hands. But I will keep an eye out for such matters myself. I understand this is not the kind of investment you are looking for from me. But I have discovered that I am not as... perceptive as I would like to claim myself to be. And my taste for politics is not a strong one beyond certain topics. So I do not wish to give false hope or expectations." He explains himself.

"I assume the word you are looking for is either 'Overzealous' or 'Chaotic'?"

"He speaks truly. It is an issue that the government has resolved to ensure doesn't happen again. We have concerns -- but no actions need be taken yet. We simply want to ensure that such skewed perspectives do not take hold in the matter of the Mythwood and the Felwood. We've all had quite enough of demons. Seldan, you need not any explanation. We know you can be trusted. Harkashan, you have taken point on the matter of the spires, and led the way with wisdom. We hope that you will continue to do so, and ensure that none stray from the path that the Gods have set you on."

Telassa clears her throat, "Ah... yes. And I spoke to my elders before coming: the wardens believe that if you *can* secure the spires, and the cecntral one, they can harness it to broaden the impact of any decursing efforts. That is, to say, *if* it's all functional, and it can properly utilized ... we might have a real shot at breaking the curse on a large section of woods."

A finger is pointed at Harkashan at that last bit.

"Stay within your comfort levels," he adds, "but I do hope you will conmtinue building expeditions n pursuit of the spires."

"it is in my mind that both words hold truth to the situation," Seldan answers Harkashan, leaning back in the chair, and turning to the other two. "That shall I do. We shall continue with the research into the spires, but Deathsinger, if you would have me, I may be able to forestall any such attempts. In my past have I been far too lenient on such matters, permitting others to do as they will. That can no longer be so."

"If I can be of aid, Keeper, I would be honored to be so. To release Her once-sacred space from the grasp of evil is a holy task indeed, and one I willingly undertake. Now do I begin to understand."

There's a long 'hrrm' from Harkashan as the Guildmate speaks of Seldan and then himself. There's just a nod of his head in acknowledgement. Finally, a soft-spoken rumbling; "I will do what I can do make the Ancestors proud." Before changing the topic back to demons.

"Just be aware that Demons are plenty present already in regards to the Felwood." Harkashan does point out, taking out a small pouch, and revealing two obsidian-like stones, and laying them on the table. "Please do not touch these." He warns. "Something or someone within the Felwoods keeps trying to get a Demonic Possession to happen." He points out.

He then looks to Seldan. "I should probably not hold onto these. Seldan, do you wish to dispose of these stones?" He asks. He can't recall if he'd asked before or not.

"As for the Spire. It would be wonderful if you speak of a certain future, Lady Telassa." Harkashan then adds. "I will continue to press in on the Spires when I have time. Thanks to Skyguardian Seldan and Lady Cor'lana, I have learned how to trap the spires for the future."

Then, to Seldan; "Forestall as you will." He rumbles.

The guild attendant looks really nervoius as they come out to display.

Telassa sits up at the sight of them. "Are those... Oh my! They're just like the stories say."

When Telassa sits up like that, Harkashan rumbles a simple; "You sound like you know what these are." While giving her an expecting look. Then to the Guild attendant he lifts his hand; "Do not worry. As long as nobody goes physically touching these, they appear to be harmless. And Seldan is right here. I just need you to be aware that a hand like this is being played - since you are concerned with Adventurer involvement with Demons right now."

"Yes, I've heard a few stories. A demonic elemental attacked the camp when we were building it, had one of those inside it. Someone is behind them, but we've no idea who as of yet."

Telassa makes a face.

When the obsidian gems come out, Seldan, too, stares at them, but for an entirely different reason. He stands up, and raises a hand to automatically begin a spell. First, second sigils, closely linked - on the third figure, he shakes his head sharply, and the building magical tension in the air fizzles away, leaving him to wear a sheepish smile. "Too oft does armor make that difficult," he murmurs. "Let me begin anew. I would establish safety against its evil, ere I attempt aught further with it. Stones imbued with a demonic essence - none should touch these, do they not wish to be consumed."

Harkashan rumbles a sound. He's not sat down this entire meeting. So, when Seldan stands and begins his spell, he has a good vantage point to see what is being drawn. At the fizzling of the spell the first time, Harkashan notes; "I will assist." He answers him, as he begins to draw sigils to the air as well. Ensuring the stone will be kept unable to - or at least hindered - from doing what it might otherwise do.

"I understand." He then offers to Telassa. "It is presumably the same one who moved my Lavastones at the last guard station - with these mixed amongst them." He thinks for a moment. "Is there any magics you know of, that can see into the past of an object?"

"Not I," says Telassa, "but that would be enormously helpful."

The bureaucrat shakes his head, looking curiously to see if Seldan might know. They both step away to let the two do as they will to the fel-imbued stones.

"The spell of Legend Lore might serve, does the object hold takes enough," Seldan answers, working in concert with Harkashan to draw the necessary figures. The last is the crescent and sphere that unites then beneath Eluna's holy aegis, and he speaks a word of power to it, then pressed the newly-glowly sigils down the floor, gesturing them to form a circle about himself and Harkashan.

When they reach the floor, faintly glowing, he nods, apparently satisfied. "My thanks, Deathsinger."

When that is done, he surveys the stones. "There is much I would learn -"