Act 3, Scene 1: Assembly and Supplication

[Jenara]

“Mm. Felar thren valen. Lethir ven’kai sil. Sileth var, ai?” she calls back, before looking at the refugees, then back to the elf.
“Forest not bite them yet. I say that is success.” she chuckles at her Joke. "The Wet rocks are no more. What is left has fled." She calls out in perfect common as she approaches Nelenwe.

(“Mm. Cat drag many things. Most of them still breathing. Good day, yes?”)

[Styrius]

Findalsip tries very hard to not freak out at the sudden appearance of giant owl people (OOC: his assumption as he doesn’t know what they are). He immediately looks for solid rock. (If found, he heads to it).

[TristenC]

The guard gives the barest smile at Katten's jest, but nods at her remark about the goblins. That is good news indeed, Ranger. Come, I am sure your group is weary from their ordeal. He leads them beyond a few trees and through a dense thicket of thorny shrubs. By the time it becomes clear theh are no longer following some forest trail, the group finds themselves nearly in the center of an Elven community. No more than a half dozen Elves are visible, going about evening tasks, but quickly stop and consider the mottley group. After some scrutiny the newcomers identify some of the larger nearby trees as structures; with entrances near ground-level. Above a handfull of canopied limbs create a network of walkways.

Waving down another guard, he speaks quietly before the other man peels off and he continues to escort them deeper into the community. The area is thickly populated by towering trees, the boles of some are too large for any 4 people to encircle together, and some much wider than that! Several seem to have hidden entrances behind bushes, concealed by the shape of the tree itself, or even access points only dozens of feet above and accessible by vines or acrobatic climbing! The guard leads them to the largest of these, set in what they soon realize is the center of the village. The great council tree stands a good dozen paces wide at the base, a marvel that such a thing could remain mostly hidden until drawing near the other great trees.

Quel Salas is not a large community, but it is one of the oldest... as old even as Alsani to the North, where our Queen Irienelle Eldarwel reigns. The Great Trees are tended by our people with supreme dedication. Often they live many hundreds of years past the tree species' typical span. Certain oaks, like this one, have been guided and maintained for over 1,000 years... longer than any elf still walking the world today, by our records. He explains to the newcomers, a sense of pride in his voice.

[Chris1234]

Linar carefully looks around. He's wary that some may react adversely to his heritage.

[Nocturno]

Trying not to seem impressed by these "since he should know exactly what to find" Nocturno stays at the rear of the party.

[TristenC]

[These are actually High Elves. Nocturno would know of them as one of the oldest communities apart from the Elven capital, but also a very small one.]

[Styrius]

Findalsip is trying to look calm but is not at all comfortable. He needs to find natural rock and the surroundings have him deeply on edge. Not in a violent way more at he is having trouble feeling connected. Without the natural rock he feels lost. He tries scabbing in his journal to log what he is seeing but isn't being very productive as he is too distracted.

[TristenC]

While there seem to be some hesitant and suspicious glances around the Drow and the Minotaur in particular, no outright hostility is obvious. The guard notes their wariness. It has been no secret here that Signa has been assembling a... diverse group to help deal with this new threat. A few of you are known, at least by description, to our citizens. Though there are some unanticipated newcomers. he adds with a small grin in the Svirfneblin's direction.

Soon the other guard returns with three more Elves, one of whom runs immediately forward to embrace Nelenwe and Celegal. They whisper quietly to each other for a long moment, finally releasing as he turns to the adventurers. I am Elwelor. I cannot thank you enough for returning my wife and son to me, unharmed. If ever you are in need, I will do all I can to aid you. He says, emotion welling up visibly. And who are these others? He adds, scanning the faces of the other ragged travelers. They were held prisoner with us. We looked out for each other, Nelenwe replies. Working together is the only way any of us survived. Everyone, this is my husband, The group devolves into much conversation and recounting of their experience as other citizens draw near to hear the discourse.

The two other Elves arriving, a man and woman who it is difficult to put an age on, hold themselves with calm aplomb in the midst of the excitement. They move with a smooth grace and approach the adventurers, the lady speaking to. I am Laserie, and this is Penlemmir. We thank you sincerely for returning our lost to us. Signa has mentioned several of you. You must be the Guardian Nesserr, she says with a slight bow to the Feliz, a gesture she repeats to each of the others in turn. And Nocturno of Misailloend’ath. Ah, and friend Jordek. My, it has been some time since we saw you last. I see you are expanding your wandering considerably of late. She adds with the barest smirk. Slowly she turns to the Drow, eyes searching his and flat of affect. You must be Linar Nalia of the Underdark... I am told you were... dissatisfied with the ways of the spider queen, and that through her daughter's philosophies you eventually came to follow the Protector himself; Corellon Larethian... Is this true? She asks, slowly glancing between the High and Dark elves.

After hearing their reply, she turns to Bullock and Fin (the latter of which seems to have found the one flat exposed rock in the whole of the village. I must confess, we were not made aware of you two. May we know your names, and how you came to join this group?

[Chris1234]

Linar gently exposes his holy icon, a silvery-white crescent moon on a blue field, answering, "I am he. That is completely accurate, My Lady, if very understated." The drow bows deeply.

[Nocturno]

"Greetings" Nocturno will also bow as appropriate.

[Styrius]

Findalsip stays on the patch of rock he has found. He observes the others and listens to the elves make their greetings and introductions. Noting the other priests in the group display their holy symbols he will produce his and at the appropriate time he replies "I am Findalsip, Rocktender of Callarduran Smoothhands. It is an honor to meet you." He will bow to them as Linar did. The unhewn rock provides him much comfort in this rather strange to him place.

[Jenara]

Katten takes the greetings in her stride, she remains alert with Dran at her side, "Your home is Beautiful." She speaks in clear Elven, "We rescued all we could, the Wetrocks far and deep, they tunneled to the Walls of the Great Rift itself. I saw such with my own eyes."

She will share what comes next when they are in less of a public space, speaking only with Laserie and Penlemmir. Whom she deems suitable to know.

[Styrius]

Findalsip hopes that further questioning will be allayed by his introduction and greeting. He looks at Bull hoping to throw attention away from himself.

[TristenC]

As the final introductions are made Penlemmir speaks. We welcome you to our humble community, and invite you to rest here as long as you wish. We are having a small feast prepared to show our gratitude. Please take your ease until all is prepared. We will answer some questions if you have any and we are able.


====
Does anyone have anything they want to do before the feast, and/or any questions for the elders or other npcs?

[Chris1234]

Linar bows and says, "Thank you. may Correllon smiles upon your community." After others who wish to have spoken, the dark elf adds, "Are there any here who might wish to echane arcane knowledge*?"

If nothing else crops up, Linar will gravitate, with parents' permission, ("May I...?"), to entertain children, and celebrate the artisitic side of Correllon, by carving small wooden animals for them.

OOC
Intent was for linar tyo cast 1. Renerate light Wounds on himself earlier but he can slide off and so so at some convenient point. it would be rude to just cast in the middel of a meeting.

*AKA swop spells. (Expecting a "no" but never hurts to ask.)