CH 8: Elvenhome

[Jenara]

"Hard?" Laurana lets out a little laugh, "I have never known him be so hard.." the elf lowers her head, hiding between the mass of blonde. "Can I come with you? Wherever you go?" she asks like a little lost child, "I have nowhere else to go."

[JadedDM]

"This way," Gilthanas says, interrupting the girls' conversation. Those who agree to leave their weapons behind are allowed to follow Gilthanas to the Hall of the Sky. This 'hall' turns out to be the central square of Qualinost, where a cluster of stars are just appearing overhead.

The entire population of Qualinesti seems to be gathered around the wide square. The warriors are in the center ring, around the Speaker and several of his chief lieutenants; the other men, women and children are more distant, but still observing the proceedings.

A path opens through the crowd to the center of the circle, and the Speaker looks up with a cool stare as the heroes of Xak Tsaroth enter his sight. "Forgive our somber air," he says slowly. "These are heavy times, and we face the beginning of a long and lonely road.

"Look, if you will, upon our situation." The Speaker gestures to a detailed mosaic on the ground. The colors and shapes seem to represent a map of some kind. As the circle of elves draw back, the land of Qualinesti and its surroundings are displayed entirely.

"Here and here," the Speaker says, tapping the end of his staff against the northern communities of Solace and Haven. "Two huge armies of the Dragonlord Verminaard have gathered. Even now they prepare to invade the ancient Elvenhome of Qualinesti. There is no way we can stand against the might of such hordes.

"Our only choice is to flee Qualinesti to the west, and hope to bring our people safely to some land in that unknown region." The Speaker pauses here for a moment.

"Still a third Dragonarmy poisoes against us here." Now the Speaker's staff strikes sharply on the narrow pass of Pax Tharkas. "We have learned from captives that the Dragonlord would like to see the race of elves driven from Krynn; and they have nearly succeeded with respect to our kin of Silvanesti." He pauses here again, looking to the heroes should they have anything they wish to ask or say before he continues.

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(OOC: Anyone carrying visible weapons will not be allowed to attend; they will be forced to remain in the grove. If you wish to hide a concealable weapon on your character's person, let me know.)

[Breila]

Goldmoon looks at Gilthanas for a moment, then looks back at his sister. "Laurana, I have to attend that meeting now, but I promise we will talk later. I do not know where we will go from here, but I promise I will speak in favour of your coming with us."

She leaves all her weapons in the grove.

[Jenara]

Laurana leaves her blade and bow behind, making sure magpie does the same.

With some reluctance Sturm leaves brightblade behind, he lays it down crossed with Laurana's in a silent sign of comradeship.

"Thank you Goldmoon." she smiles.

[HorizonsDream]

Having left her weapons back in the grove, Tika looks surprised as she listens to the Speaker. "When do you plan on leaving?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

"The first ships leave tonight, in Porlinost," the Speaker answers. "We hope to evacuate Qualinost within five days...but it's doubtful we'll have time before the dragonarmies march."

[Nuke]

Riverwind looks at the gathering of elves, never having seen so many in one place. Watching the leadership and listening to the Speaker he studies the map laid out on the ground.

"And you hope to flee the wrath of the dragon horde? To go away to some unknown destination? While I can understand to send the women and children, I cannot see why you hope running away will be enough."

He turns to look at Goldmoon and the others, hoping they have something to add.

[JadedDM]

"We take no pleasure in having to flee," the Speaker explains. "Our people have dwelt here since the Age of Dreams; thousands of years, at least. But even if the dragonarmies did not outnumber us ten to one, the simple fact remains...they have dragons. Many dragons, capable of breathing flame and acid. We cannot stand against such might; to do so would be to throw our lives away. They will not take prisoners, not like with the humans. They will slay us all to a man. And what good would that do?"

[Kafen]

Having left his weapon behind, Tas looks at the old grumpy elf and wonders why he is so sad. They are getting their wish of isolation, after all. Sure, it's a pretty place, but they are going on a new adventure in life with this move. He looks at the map and wonders outloud. "Why did you let them get so many troops?" He looks at the big folks and suggests. "You should give bullies a good thwack before they get too big. My Uncle would do that to mean people when they tried to invade, I'm sure of it. Anyways, we build these huge bulwarks around our cities and force the enemy into a ground path that takes them into rock range, but Uncle Trapspringer would forget what he was doing and wander off at times. That's why the others would trick the bad people into going another way before they got to the defenses using scouts and stuff." He pauses and thinks about it. "Of course, the bad guys would get really mad when we helped them with their supplies. Armies have so much to waste, even the bad guys can share. You just sneak in and borrow food stuff from them when they are moving forward, you see." He pats his stomach proudly and declares. "Then, they have to go looking for food instead of trying to kill you. That's much more pleasant, you see."

[Breila]

Goldmoon's face brightens. "You and your people are right, Tasslehoff. There really is no chance to defeat the dragonarmies in a battle, but there are ways to weaken them... dragons and draconians have to eat, and if they don't find anything, not even dead enemies on a battlefield, and their own supplies are taken away, they can't fight. People my say this is cowardly, but we are fighting for our very existence now. And besides, it takes courage to go into the enemy camp, or attack a supply train, too."

[JadedDM]

"Interesting you should mention weakening them," the Speaker says.

Elaborating, he touches his staff on the map. "Here, in the depths of Pax Tharkas, work the warriors of Solace, Haven, and the other northern lands who were taken alive. Why would they slave in the mines, gaining iron for the forges of the Dragonlords?

"Because also here," and the Speaker's staff strikes Pax Tharkas with a vengeance, "are their women and children--hostages lest the warriors can display the rage and hatred that they must feel against their villainous masters. This was the reason for Gilthanas' mission only a few short days ago. He and his band were to enter Pax Tharkas by a hidden route--the Sla-Mori--known only to the elves." Those who speak elvish recognize the phrase as meaning 'secret way.' "They would free the hostages and lead the slaves in a revolt, escaping to the south and drawing the dragonarmy in pursuit," he continues.

"The humans can reach safety and elude the dragonmen, for the mountainous route contains many secluded valleys where they can hide. Yet they will never have a moment of freedom unless some means of rescue is offered."

He looks at each of the party in turn, save Laurana and Magpie. "It is our belief that you should accept this heavy task. Lauralanthalasa knows the way to the Sla-Mori. She can show you how to enter," he says, not looking at her even when speaking of her. "If you accept this opportunity, you not only offer freedom to your kin trapped within the walls of the fortress, but you offer our beleaguered folk a chance to escape Qualinesti alive, a chance to live that many of ours were not given when your people caused the Cataclysm."

Having finished, he says, "So...what say you?"

[Jenara]

"What other choice do I have?" Laurana asks never looking at her father. "Yes I know the way."

"I will aid you." Sturm says pulling on his mustache in concern.

Magpie just nods.

[Breila]

Goldmoon draws herself to her full height, displaying the proud priestess she is and princess she was.
"I will not discuss the causes of the Cataclysm, even though I do not agree with you. But it is pointless to do that now because it will not help anyone defeat the dragonarmies, which we - all the people of Krynn - must do if we hope to continue living in the lands of our fathers.

I am ready to enter Pax Tharkas by the Sla-Mori, and see if we can free the slaves and cut the dragonarmies off their supply of metal."

[Kafen]

"Balif would not have blamed the humans, he was much less grumpy." Tas says in idle fashion. He looks at the Speaker and suggests. "You are asking favors from humans and blame them for your troubles at the same time. That's great! You have multiple dragon armies around us waiting to pounce and kill us, too!" Tas says cheerfully. "Even Raistlin is not that grumpy, and he's pretty grumpy. Flint can get grumpy, though. I bet Sturm can get that grumpy if tries. Balif was much less grumpy. You know he liked kender, right?" Tas pauses as if to get himself back on track. "Oh! Balif! He was a nice elf, a hero to my people! I'd gladly help your people in his honor." He says proudly and folds his arms waiting for the others to reply.

[JadedDM]

"Tas, Balif was a Silvanesti," Tanis whispers, embarrassed. The Qualinesti and Silvanesti don't really get along, and offering to help the Qualinesti in a Silvanesti's name might be taken as an insult.

Fortunately, the Speaker doesn't seem to take offense. In fact, he seems to have tuned out the prattling kender altogether.

"We will agree to go to Pax Tharkas," Tanis says, echoing the sentiments of his companions. "But it will be very dangerous. It would be better for Laurana to remain here. Perhaps Gilthanas--"

"My sons have other, more pressing duties," the Speaker cuts him off harshly. "Lauralanthalasa will guide you. She is your responsibility now," he says cryptically.

Tanis simply blinks, confused by what is happening. He looks to Laurana, puzzled on why after finally getting her back, the Speaker was so quick to get rid of her. Did something happen, he wondered.

"Your best chances of entering the Sla-Mori are at night; therefore, I urge you to leave tomorrow morning, first thing. This should bring you, after a long day's travel, to the mouth of the Sla-Mori," the Speaker says. "This council is adjourned. Gilthanas, take them back to the grove."

As the elves depart, they begin to sing a hauntingly beautiful hymn. To those who do not speak Elvish, the words are nonsense, and yet somehow still touch deeply. To those who do speak Elvish, the lyrics go like this:

The Sun
The Splendid eye
Of all our heavens
Dives from the day,

And leaves
The dozing sky,
Spangled with fireflies,
Deepening in gray.

Now Sleep,
Our oldest friend,
Lulls in the trees
And calls
Us in.

The leaves
Give off cold fire,
They blaze into ash
At the end of the year.

And birds
Coast on the winds,
And the wheel to the north
When autumn ends.

The day grows dark,
The seasons bare,
But we
Await the sun's
Green fire upon
The trees.

The wind
Dives through the days.
By season, by moon
Great kingdoms arise.

The breath
Of firefly, of bird,
Of trees, of mankind
fades in a word.

Now Sleep,
Our oldest friend,
Lulls in the trees
And calls
Us in.

The Age,
The thousand lives
Of men and their stories
Go to their graves.

But We,
The people long
In poem and glory
Fade from the song.

Once all the elves save Gilthanas have departed, he approaches them. "Thank you for agreeing to help," he says. "This way, please," he adds, heading back to the grove.

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(OOC: I guess kender can be racist, after all. )