Path of Exiles- Search for Hope and Unity

[redcoat]

Migration from the Enjin platform

[opius]

Taliesin:
::Having left the dinner without being noticed, Taliesin had retired to his room barring entrance. The travelling clothes that he had kept clean looked worse for wear and the identity held behind them grew weary. He peeled off the layers draping them on his bed until he was barefoot in his sleeveless shirt and pants. He found a mirror and took the time to recreate an Allurani braid in his hair (11+Dex). The braid was far from perfect, but following Sae finding out there was no reason for him to hide. He withdrew the icon from his pocket in his right hand and the sylvan gift from the scabbard with his left. Kneeling in front of the bed he began to trance.

Following the trance he returned both items to their resting places and donned enough clothing to be decent in public. He exited his room having only added a cloak and boots to his outfit. The coloring and style was still Mareki, but this was the least he could comfortably get away with. His feet dragged him out of the castle in the middle of the night. He stopped with the guard and showed them the necessary item to be allowed free passage. "Could you direct me to the training grounds for the guard or a similar place where I can hone my skills?" ::

Ancelas:
There were six guards on duty at the gate at all times - two on the outside, two on the inside, and two stationed inside a guardhouse built into the wall beside the gate, at the base of one of the two watch towers flanking the gate. Taliesin spoke with one of the two guards on the inner gate, who reviewed his writ and nodded to his companion, who unlocked and opened the wicket gate for him to pass through. At Taliesin's question, however, the guard reviewing the writ blinked and looked at him curiously.

"I... it's the middle of the night, my lord," he said slowly, uncertainty. "Most of the barracks in the city, for the castle guard, city watch, or legionnaires, are asleep or on watch at this time of night. I'm afraid you won't find anyone awake enough to offer you a challenge until morning."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin nodded to the guard understandably. "I know that there isn't anyone available for a challenge." He let a cocky smirk play on his face for a moment. "I am looking more to practice form and other such things. It seemed a bad idea to try that in the room that I was put up in." ::

Ancelas:
The guard smiled faintly and handed Taliesin his writ back. "You keep odd hours, my lord. As I said, this time of night, there's not really anything going on in the city." He paused then, and looked Taliesin over, reflecting on what he had been told of the King's guests.

"If you're looking for something to do that doesn't involve resting, then I might suggest visiting Dockside... it's no place for nobles, of course, but the inns and shops keep odd hours. Some of the sailors - particularly those from non-human lands - keep similarly odd hours."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin caught what the guard was implying. He wasn't trusted to practice in any adjoining yards of barracks without guards awake and present. He took the writ back. "Is there a specific Inn or shop that you know is more likely to be open Dockside?" He tucked the writ away in his pants and pulled his hood up. "And is there a specific path you suggest I take?" ::

Ancelas:
The guard shrugged. "Castle guards have a bad reputation in Dockside. Can't say I know of any place better than another. Just take the Searoad north - you'll get there eventually. Just look for a place with lights and sounds."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin wasn't fond of the answer he was given, but it would do. He gave a gentle bow. "Thank you for the guidance." With that he politely took his leave of the guards and made his way towards dockside. Apart from the occasional guard that he passed he saw as few people as he would expect given the time of day. Travel was much simpler at this hour and left him dockside far faster than his travel from to and from the Gunslinger Chapter House.

The silence he was accustomed to slowly faded, replaced with the sound of lapping water. Not far off he could hear broken sounds of conversation and other activity. The first open building that seemed to host those who were awake is where he chose to step in.::

Ancelas:
Most of the stores in Northmarket were closed for the night, but a handful of stalls were still open, the attendants chatting with sailors. Dockside, however, was much livelier. While the ships at anchor were quiet with only a deck guard or two on duty, there were several taverns along the quay with windows that shone with warm lantern light and the sounds of conversation.

The nearest inn to the Searoad, facing Captain's Run - the street that ran alongside the docks - was The Captain's Trident, a sprawling, two-storey building with a large common room filled with several benches and tables with booths set along the wall. The source of the laughter and conversation was immediately obvious - there was a large number of Sea Elves in attendance, drinking and laughing with a handful of swarthy-skinned humans and tieflings with skin in a number of colors. The bar tender himself was a looming black-scaled dragonborn that looked almost comical in a clean white smock worn over well-oiled leathers.

((Perception check please!))

Taliesin:
::Taliesin had took note of each stall as he passed, but for the most part he just moved on. He wasn't looking for random conversation or to purchase random items. The first building that drew his attention was indeed "Captain's Run."

The raucous crew drew him in with the promise of at least interesting people watching. With what the guard had suggested he figured he might see some more Kenku or other races that he had little contact with. As he entered he took quick note of the groups and location of the bar before choosing a direction. ((Perception Check results 16+4=20))

Ancelas:
Taliesin entered the Captain's Trident and quickly gained a measure of the mood of the room. It was busy, but not rowdy, with scattered knots of sailors and toughs gathered together - members of particular crews, it seemed. There was one clump of sailors gathered at a booth in a back corner, a tall, broad-shouldered, dark-skinned Nekohlian leaning against the side of the booth and keeping a casual watch over the rest of the bar. There was a cheerful group of olive-skinned Marini elves occupying an entire table near the front of the room, swapping jokes and drinking merrily. Sitting together at a table pressed up against another side of the common room was a tired group of sailors chatting amicably amongst one another, each of the men wearing a red bandana around their head or bicep, suggesting they were all also part of the same crew.

There were handfuls of others all seated, drinking and eating and minding their own business. As Taliesin drifted forward, soaking it all in, the dragonborn at the bar flipped a hand-towel over one bare, roughly scaled shoulder. "Ya gonna stand around an' gawk, I'm gonna have to charge ya," he called out with gruff cheer to Taliesin. "But I'll tell ya now, sittin' an' gettin' a drink's a much better way to spend ya coin."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin spotted as much as he could without drawing too much attention. Of course the bar tender drew focus to him anyway. He locked eyes with the dragonborn male and made strong long strides to the counter. A smirk crossed his lips as he chirped back. "Well, perhaps if you've get better swill than the Red Dragon." He stepped up to the counter and took a half seat. "The best Dwarven Ale or Elvish wine you have preferably."

He shifted to take more of a seat at the counter while dropping the cloak off his shoulders. It was a might bit warmer here than outside and he wasn't fond of sweating while drinking.::

Ancelas:
The dragonborn - along with a few other elves seated at the bar - laughed. "Right then," he said, grinning and showing off rows of pointed teeth. "Can't say I 'ave any fancy-ass elvish wines, but I think I might 'ave somethin' to put some stones in ya belly."

He turned and walked down the bar, checking bottles on a shelf beneath several kegs bearing the names of various alehouses. He let out a sound of pleasure as he found what he was looking for - a black bottle with a gold label. He pulled the cork out with his teeth and set it on the countertop, then retrieved a pint glass and poured the drink into it before turning and setting it down in front of Taliesin. He then picked up the bottle again and stoppered it.

The ale was shiny and gold with a black foam head and smelled of coal. "That there is Deepminer," the dragonborn said, grinning as he put the bottle away. "One gold per pint. If'n ya cravin' somethin' stronger, then I might 'ave somethin' to soothe your tongue. But ya want to be startin' with that first."

Some of the elves at the table were watching and shaking their heads; one or two outright snickered.

Taliesin:
::Taliesin gave a weary glance at the devilish smirk offered by the dragonborn bartender. It was always a gamble when a bartender seemed eager in this manner. He reached to his side into the cloak to retrieve a single gold which he placed down on the counter. ((10+4 Perception))

He failed to notice the elves reactions. Their movement was easily dismissed as normal discussion. Unknowing he simply wrapped his fingers around the glass and took a sniff of the pungent aroma. "To family ..." he said in the Alurani dialect of elven before taking a swig. He hadn't fully prepped himself for the warmth that would follow and ended up giving a quick sneeze. He was sure he heard a snicker or two following, but knew that his reaction earned it.

The glass was set back on the counter but his lithe fingers hadn't released it. His eyes scanned the bar once more, even clearly taking stock of each elf at the counter before moving back to the dragonborn in front of him. "I've got a bit of a walk ahead of me once dawn hits." He took another more careful sip of the ichor foam and gold liquid. "Awful lot of Marini, makes sense ... close to heart and home" He said again in elven tongue.

"What might your name be?" He asked of the brawny dragonborn behind the counter. ::

Ancelas:
The dragonborn seemed to be having fun with Taliesin. There did not seem to be any malice in it, but Taliesin felt like he was the butt of a joke he did not understand.

The ale had a strong, initial taste of charcoal that then subsided and was replaced by a warm, gold honey taste. It was a thick brew, much stronger than the Red Eagle he had tasted before. It wasn't that bad, but it was certainly weighty, and seemed to live up to the innkeeper's promise of putting rocks in his stomach.

"Baldric Boregon," the dragonborn said, reaching one clawed hand over the bar to clasp forearms with Taliesin. "Keeper of th' finest tavern an' inn on Dockside. An' ya came at a good time, if ye lookin' fer companionship of yer own kind. Most a' these long-ears file in after midnight, lookin' fer a brew an' a tussle of one kind or another." One of the Marini spoke up in a growling, snarling language that seemed at odds with the grin on his face. Baldric responded in kind, although it sounded far more natural coming from his toothy maw, and he swatted the air with one hand. The elf chuckled and went back to his drink and Baldric leaned forward, crossing his arms on the bar counter. It creaked under his weight.

"Ye don't have th' look of a sailor, though. What brings ya to my bar this time a' night?"

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin let the drink sit for a moment. His eyes shifted to each sound to check if there was need for him to fight. The unfortunate reality of what brought him to be a Mareki and what helped make him as good in service as he managed to be.

He stood up and clasped the dragonborns forearm. This was a unique experience and he took mild enjoyment from it. "Baldric, this is certainly finer than some of the places I stopped earlier today." He released the hold on Baldrics scaled arm. The strange tongue coming from the Marini caused him to furrow his brows in confusion. His left arm had moved back as if to grab something, but the wave off from Baldric and elvish laugh eased his concern.

He sat back down and tapped the glass as he pondered on what he would say in response to this dragonborn? It was naive to immediately trust anyone, but at the same time being open among so many elves might garner a positive response.

With a sigh he spoke up. "The castle guard aren't awake enough to trust me blowing off steam on pells and archery targets." He lifted his drink and took a deep swig. "And the guards suggested I come Dockside to spend time with my folk and those who keep longer hours for the sailors." The glass was set down gently as he collected himself. "I can't expect humans to recognize the difference between an Allurani and a Marini since they can hardly recognize the signs of the arcane on their own kind." ::

Ancelas:
Glancing around, Taliesin found that no one was really paying attention to him, except for one or two sailors at the bar who were not in conversations with their companions. One had been the elf that spoke to Baldric, the other was three seats down and watching with an amused smirk as he swirled a drink in his pint glass.

Baldric grunted and leaned back, pulling the hand towel from his shoulder so as to wipe down the countertop. "Can't blame 'em fer lockin' up their equipment, this time a' night. Ye chose odd hours to go about practicin' yer marksmanship. Not likely to find any place 'round here to practice either, not 'till the sun comes up."

The olive-skinned Marini who had been swirling his drink and listening to their conversation cocked his head to one side, eyebrows raising. The dragonborn hadn't noticed what Taliesin had said, but then... why would he? "Most of our kind would struggle as well, friend," he said, his common heavily accented by his elvish. "The wood elves, what is left, they do not often leave their mother-woods. I've yet to meet one so far east, even. They are not much for the seas or skies."
Posted Apr 24, 18

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin gave an understanding nod toward Baldric. Of course he had thought of much the same. He had hoped that his writ gave him a bit of clout. Apparently it was only good as a notice that he wasn't to be treated like a commoner. "Well clearly you know Elves. Only resting for incredibly short periods and ready for trouble again."

Hearing the accented common from the Marini seemed to bother him as he visibly winced with a minor eye twitch at the first clipped words. He had only been so good with common by his training and life prior. It was considerably easier to avoid humans if you could understand what they were saying. However, he preferred the Elven and Sylvan tongues. "I guess you're right. But I have too long been separated from them."

Silence fell as he stared into glass in front of him. His words shifted back to Elvish "Too long since I stood beneath the great tree at Sor Alaryn." He lifted the glass and took a tiny sip. His words returned to common. "My path seems to keep me further and further away." His eyes shifted to the sailor. "Assuming you're a sailor and hit many ports ... where is the nearest I might find my family? Where might I rid myself of this Mareki facade and regain the threads of my home?" ::

Ancelas:
Baldric nodded slightly and moved down the bar to answer another sailor's drink request while the Marini sailor turned to face Taliesin. He had an intricate braided tattoo curling up from the right side of his neck and along the side of his faze, up to his eye. It was a curious design, elvish braidwork broken into sweeping lines reminiscent of Nekohlian tattoos.

He seemed intrigued, his expression curious. "You are Alurani?" he asked, switching to elvish, his words much clearer. "Silvanus guide your path, cousin. You are far from home indeed." He sniffed and rubbed his nose with the back of one hand. "Closest port to home? Go West, across Astorea, to the city of Kyr - the port there serves the Sunset Sea. You'll find no closer port on this side of Samara. You're better off on the open world though, cousin. The Deepwoods hold nothing but sorrow for your kind."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin gave a mild wave to Baldric as he moved along. His attention was drawn to the tattoos on the Marini. They were clearly interesting to say the least. His mind was snapped back at the question of his lineage. "Yes ... Silvanus guide you as well." He silently listened to the words that then followed. The information was unfortunate and what he had expected following his momentary discussion with the Deori at the clothing shop.

He reached into his pocket and pulled the icon into the depths of his cloak. He pondered if he should simply show again. "The Deepwoods hold our future. The Deepwoods are home." He lifted his hand and placed the icon on the counter. He allowed his hand to move to allow the view of stylized leaf with holes. "Silvanus needs all his children together. And I would sooner stay out of the Deepwood as you would stay away from the bobbing waves of the open sea."

With a deep breath he shifted and pulled the icon back into his pocket. No sooner was the icon away that his hand took back up the glass. "Speaking of ..." He stood solemnly. He took a deep breath and changed back to common. Projecting his voice he boomed out to draw attention. "All attend! Are any of you here in possession of strange coin" He paused and scanned the crowd. "Not one of solid metal color but instead appears melded with blood." He looked about again. "An eye on one side." He stood in the center of the bar and waited for response. Perhaps no one would reply. Perhaps some might think him drunk. But this was an area where random coin from all walks would show up. ::

Ancelas:
The sailor arched an eyebrow and regarded the the icon Taliesin placed on the bar, leaning forward to get a better look at it. His eyes flicked up to examine Taliesin while he spoke and the sailor inclined his head at the comparison between the woods and the sea. He supposed it was appropriate.

When Taliesin rose and addressed the entire common room, most - not all, but most - of the conversations died down as sailors and laborers turned to regard him. The semi-silence held for a long moment before murmurs rose as patrons leaned together to whisper observations about the odd elf.

"I have."

The speaker was a human, sun-bronzed from long weeks on the sea, seated amongst the mixed-race band of sailors with red bandannas around their heads or biceps. They had been laughing and chatting when Taliesin walked in; now they still seemed amicably enough, but curious. The human's thick dark hair and tanned, olive complexion suggested he might have been Meridian, from the continent of Gavony.

"Silver coins with veins of red, yes?" he asked, drawing the attention of a handful of other sailors still paying attention. "An eye on one side, a glyph on the other. Yes, we've seen coin like that up in Keldath, north of the Firbolg lands. Someone tried to purchase a bottle of fine Sondaqan Wine from our captain, claimed they came from the capital of Dorcia. The captain booted him off the ship and told him to come back with proper money next time." The sailor laughed and his companions chuckled.

"Aya," said a Marini from the crew of half-drunken sailors at the table in the front. "Strange to find this coin in Keldath! My brother, Venoy, he found a gold coin just like this in Iya Drofai not two months ago, convinced it was good luck. We said that no coin should bleed its own blood and tossed it overboard - such things are bad omens."

Keldath was the northern-most country in Nordyn, beyond the Firbolg tribelands where Kaladin Stormblessed had died. Iya Drofai was in southern Mazuri, a swampy, jungle country spoken of in whispers due to the liches of Yl'dor. Neither were anywhere close to the continent of Samara.

Taliesin:
::Taliesin spun on his heels, making sure he had his eyes lock on those that spoke up. He expected to hear of the North. That was where they had their run in and what had forced them to run to Donal's Crossing. He was taken aback by the talk regarding the reach to an even further continent. There was clear evidence of his thought process as he looked between those who spoke.

"I'm sure some have heard the rumors of refugee's from Donal's Crossing." He set his drink on a nearby table and returned to the center of the bar. "What fell upon Donal's crossing came from Keldath bearing the coins that you confirmed seeing." He pointed to the sailors who had spoken up, though his eyes locked with the Marini for a slightly longer moment. "Their weapons looked like Damascus Steel, but as black with tendrils of red."

He started a slow walk around those there. "The metals when held allow Hectapol to gaze upon you. She even visits you with terrors in your sleep. You must never accept any!" He examined each sailor there, sizing each one up in an attempt to see if they were heeding his words beyond the fantastical rumor it seemed.

"An army of unknown creatures sacked Kyr, some say buoyed by a black dragon. Those same creatures killed a gunslinger in the Firbolg tribelands and made their way south and sacked Donal's crossing. They had come within 3 days travel of Astor City before being held off by a small group at a small ranch." He returned to the center of the room, still keeping his body moving, trying to connect with each person. "If you doubt these words, go to the Wayward Mariner and ask for Curbin or Fendrick. Ask for any of the Delmon family that are now here without a home."

He left a pause to let things sink in. "If any of you are set to find port in Kyr, you may want to have your Captain wait for information from the King." His eyes then jumped to every elf in the room. "The Prince of Leaves is coming to unite the tribes to battle this threat. I hope he can count on you ... brothers."

He didn't wait to hear a response before moving. He was drawn back to the table he placed his drink on and lifted it back up. He didn't take another drink. He just picked it up and looked like he would return to the bar, his eyes scanning the room once more. ::

Ancelas:
There was a moment of silence as Taliesin's words carried throughout the bar, as conversations lulled and laughter subsided. When he paused to see who was listening and who wasn't, a rippled of laughter went through the room and many of the patrons turned their back on him. About half the room still seemed to be listening, but it was hard to tell who were listening earnestly and who were just indulging him.

At the mention of the Prince of Leaves, though, several of the Marini began to look uncomfortable. They shifted in their seats, turned their backs to him. The other races in attendance tuned out about then, shaking their heads and chuckling amongst each other. The sailor who had been speaking with him at the bar looked uneasy.

"You're free with your tongue," he said in elvish. "Too free. Good way to get it cut out, in the wrong crowd." He lifted his mug and swirled his drink. "A word of advice, cousin. Think more, speak less. And learn to read a crowd - I don't know what you're looking for, but I don't think you'll find it in a bar full of drunken sailors."

He downed his cup and raised his hand. Baldric approached, nodding to Taliesin as he did. "Think ye might want t' start with somethin' weaker, friend. Ale's gettin' to ye." The sailor pulled out some coins and the barkeep began cashing him out.

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin watched the reactions around the bar. The laughter as if he was telling a farce was annoying. But it was the turned backs and silence from the Marini that had the largest impact. As he turned to address the patron who initially spoke with him he was met by a strange level of concern.

In elvish he replied to the sailor. "Living in fear and silence in a tenuous peace won by ignominious means is already a slow death sentence. I attempt to warn family of danger and do Silvanus' bidding in the hope that one day I can finally go home." He set the only half drunken glass on the counter. "I do as needed without fear, and so I thought did hearty folk of the sea." He hadn't meant his tone to change, but it had. The shift went from orator to one of genuine confusion. "I've never known a sailor to turn at the mention of a name. But even you balked at the mention of a name."

He looked hard at the sailor, looking for a crack, a sign of anything to explain it. "What about the Prince of Leaves turns your stomachs like a man of land on roiling seas?" ::

Ancelas:
Baldric looked a little annoyed at the conversation in elvish until the sailor pulled out a few more coins. "For my cousin," he said in common, grinning briefly at the mollified dragonborn before switching back to elvish as he turned to Taliesin.

"You walk into a bar where no one knows you, speak like a drunkard of myths and monsters without proof to back your claims or a captain to lend you authority." He shook his head. "You speak like a gull in the harbor - loudly and passionately, but no more remarkably than any other gull." He laid one hand on Taliesin's shoulder and gave it a little squeeze as he lowered his voice.

"You speak of the Prince of Leaves to a tribe who left the forests long ago. It is a shame what happened to them, yes, but what do the ambitions of the landbound mean to the Marini? Naithrani authority extends only to the shores of Illyria." He shook his head. "We are not moved by deepwood rumors. The Prince of Leaves is a story... nothing more. Something for your people to believe in. There is good in that, but it can only go so far."

He withdrew his hand and waved to Baldric as he turned to leave. "May Corellon light your path, cousin, and Talos keep the wind at your back."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin's expression dropped. They had thought him a liar or fool. "I speak of what Silvanus has told me and what I have experienced." He stood upright, forcing better posture and to regain composure that he had begun to lose. "Whether bound to land or at home on the sea, we all came from the Glade. The menace we face clearly has crossed leagues of water to have its presence so wide. This threatens even the Marini."

With a heavy exhale he turned from the sailor and the farewell. "May Silvanus grant you shade and soft ground to rest upon." He eyed the rest of the drink he had - unsure whether he should complete it. His eyes drifted up as he thought and rested on Baldric.

"Baldric, I'm still steady on my feet." He said shaking his head as his words came out in common again. "I was only hoping to connect with my brethren and warn them of the dangers they may face going to busy ports. Aside from Kyr I saw it all first hand." He grabbed the half empty glass and proceeded to empty it down to a quarter. "Silvanus wouldn't have tasked me if it was going to be simple" ::

Ancelas:
The sailor did not seem perturbed by Taliesin's earnest words as he walked off. Baldric simply stood behind the bar with arms folded across his chest, an eyebrow raised.

(Insight check)

"Well. Don't know what all that's about, but I can can get ye another round, if it please ye. Your 'cousin' paid fer yer drink, an' yer lookin' like ye could use another one."

Taliesin:
(Insight - 18+2=20)

::Taliesin kept facing forward but did give one last glance towards the sailor as he walked away. He showed up without proof and tried a sell to a group that believes themselves to be unaffected.

Several deep breaths later he finished the rest of his drink and looked up. "Keep the coin. Whoever orders next gets it." He placed the glass down. "I bought a drink to pass time and possibly strike up a conversation." He smirked. "Well, I did get that." He gave another look around the bar. "Baldric, you have a nice place here. If you don't mind stranger folk I might have some friends to send this way." ::

Ancelas:
Judging by Baldric's body language, the dragonborn seemed to be wondering just how stable Taliesin was, and whether he had entered the bar drunk or if the deepminer had hit him harder than either of them expected.

"Wouldn't be th' first time," he observed warily. "See all kinds pass through here. Anythin' else I can get ye?"

Taliesin:
::Taliesin set the now empty glass down on the counter. "No, Baldric. I think I am done here." He pulled his cloak up and donned it quickly to hide his form. Quick steps in large strides carried him out of the Captain's Trident. Any further walking dockside in the night seemed to be the same kinds of people - those less likely to take him at his word. He spent until dawns first light taking stock of the street setup and locations of shops both open late and currently shuttered.

As the flash of dawn crested the waters he turned from Dockside and found a path back to The Thread and Needle. He clearly need to know more about things that he was tangentially aware. Perhaps the Diore elves could shed some light before he resumed his travels in the kingdom. ::

Taliesin:
::Taliesin set the now empty glass down on the counter. "No, Baldric. I think I am done here." He pulled his cloak up and donned it quickly to hide his form. Quick steps in large strides carried him out of the Captain's Trident. Any further walking dockside in the night seemed to be the same kinds of people - those less likely to take him at his word. He spent until dawns first light taking stock of the street setup and locations of shops both open late and currently shuttered.

As the flash of dawn crested the waters he turned from Dockside and found a path back to The Thread and Needle. He clearly need to know more about things that he was tangentially aware. Perhaps the Diore elves could shed some light before he resumed his travels in the kingdom. ::




Ancelas:
Within two hours of leaving The Captain's Trident, Taliesin's stomach rebelled and he found himself in dire need of a watercloset. Nearly an hour later, he came to the grim conclusion that the innkeeper had played a joke on him, but at this time of night there was no real point in going back to confront the dragonborn. It was just one more misfortune he had to endure.

Most shops were closed until dawn, but being around Dockside meant that he was able to watch the fishermen bring in their goods and set up their early morning stalls. With the sun breaking over the horizon, he set out to Westmarket, arriving at the Thread and Needle to find the tailor's shop still closed.

Taliesin:
::Taliesin stayed outside The Thread and Needle waiting for it to open. He needed to speak with the one person who seemed to identify with him and the Allurani. One that at least understood the history of Allurani and might know more. And if not would know who he could speak to within the walls of Astor city. ::

Ancelas:
Eventually the curtains behind the large front window were pulled open and the figure inside - Aelar's wife - paused. She moved away from the window and a few minutes later the locks on the front door opened. Aelar Ofandrus himself stepped out and turned toward Taliesin, his expression as sober and intractable as always. He closed the door behind himself before speaking.

"How may I help you, cousin?"

Taliesin:
::Taliesin had seen the motion of the curtains in his periphery and turned to look in. A faint smile was offered to the elven woman for the short period she was still there. His attention turned away as she withdrew. Soon - he thought to himself as he stood in place almost as if he were a fixture outside.

The further wait seemed to be much longer than he expected, then again he was too eager to get more answers. The sound of the door opening drew his eyes to see Aelar. He had thought that the door would simply be unlocked, but to be met in this way was something more.

"I need to know some things. Things that I have been too long away from to know the answers." He looked at the streets surrounding them and wondered if the discussion was okay to maintain in public. His voice dropped to a hush as he continued. "Based on your first reaction to me and the further reaction I got from some Marini, I'm left with an impression that discussing matters of my tribe are best done out of the public ways. Might we take this inside before I continue?" ::

Ancelas:
Aelar frowned slightly and looked up and down the street. It was early morning, and there were only a handful of humans walking about.

"If you wish, but I'm not sure how much help I can be," he said, turning to step back into his shop. "My wife and I left Illyria twenty years ago. " He stopped inside about ten feet away from the door and turned, his hands folded behind him. He may be hospitable, but even he was wary of strange elves coming to visit him so early in the morning to speak of things better left unsaid. He studied Taliesin with a wary eye.

Taliesin:
::Taliesin followed Aelar into the shop. He made no quick motions nor did he seek to invade his privacy. "A few questions... what about my people puts other tribes on edge? Is there some detriment that befalls those who speak to ... someone like me?" His arms rested calmly at his sides as he was more stable during this visit compared to his first appearance.

"And why might their be derision around the Prince of Leaves?" ::

Ancelas:
Aelar frowned. "I must confess, I am surprised you feel the need to ask such questions. I would expect that you of all people would understand. What happened to the Alurani was an incalculable tragedy... and and act of great shame on behalf of our people. Alurani, Deori... Mareki, Naithrani. We are all Illyrians. When the Mareki marched on the Deepwood, our people could have acted to stop them. They did not. It is part of the reason my wife and I left our homeland. We could not bare the shame that the Deori's inaction brought to our tribe. Discussing what befell your tribe simply reminds our people of the shame and the tragedy of the war.

"As for the Prince of Leaves..." Aelar sighed and shook his head. "I do not know to whom you have been speaking. As far as I know through my correspondence with friends and family back in Kel Deor, the Prince is more of a rallying cry than any single person. A call for the Alurani to unite and take back what belongs to them. A story to inspire hope - nothing more."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin breathed deep and sought to identify more with Aelar rather than snap back. He uttered not a single word until he addressed both questions. A moment passed, and then another. His eyes locked on Aelar's as he carefully worded his next thoughts.

"I had not thought of it in that way. Having adequately hid myself as a Mareki for years I only saw the small pockets of people disgusted in what they were ordered to do. But as the only one who knew me for what I was didn't outwardly show this reaction I was not expecting it of others."

Something in him let go to open up more to the elf before him while there was still time and little patronage of The Thread and Needle. "Yesterday was the first day that I allowed my companions to know what I am. And when I saw you and your wife, all that I could hope was that perhaps I could find an idea of my home that had been missing. It was quite emotional because no sooner did I feel like I could start finding what I am did the crushing reality fall on me. "

His eyes had gotten a far off look aimed just over Aelar's shoulder. It appeared he was looking at a hooded mantle, but no, he was looking straight through it. His eyes scanned back to Aelar once again just before finishing .

"You say that the Prince of Leaves is a story and an idea to be a rallying cry. What is the story though? If you don't know, then do you know of anyone in Astor that might be able to tell the story? I need something of home. Something that will give me a connection with my people." ::

Ancelas:
Aelar shook his head. "I sympathize with your plight, cousin, but I do not know how much you will be able to find out in the realm of man. Any answers you would find would only be found in our homeland. The stories that I know of the Prince of Leaves all speak of an Alurani of the oldest bloodline gathering his tribe in the Deepwood and rebuilding. The same kind of story you can find among displaced people all over the world."

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin frowned deeply. The dismissive tone of the answer. He knew it was not meant as such. "So there are none you know of that might know more?" He looked to the side looking at other clothing in the shop. "Do you have anything I could buy to look less like a Mareki?" He asked suddenly dropping his other question expecting he knew the answer already. "I need to both be approachable and not obviously ... what I am. At least here." ::

Ancelas:
"To be quite honest, we're already working on something for you," Aelar said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Your companion already placed an order for you and advised us of your sizes."

He paused then, frowning faintly. "I confess, I find it odd that one of your tribe would be found travelling with a Mareki, but it really is none of my business. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Taliesin:
::Taliesin winced and held back a knee jerk reaction of violence at the unknowingly bitter words. "My story is a long one. Suffice to say, all honors I wore yesterday were rightly earned." He swept his hand across his pants, knocking off some dust that collected.

With a deep breath and a long sigh he thought of anything more to ask of Aelar. "I have work to begin ... might you know of areas aside from the docks that I might come upon other tribesmen. Fellow children of Silvanus as it were?" He crossed his arms. "Or is there no one place they have gathered?"::

Ancelas:
Aelar pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Children of Silvanus... the Alurani? No. No, what survivors there were are unlikely to have ever left Illyria. There is a community of Illyrians in the northwest quarter you can visit if you like, but they are unlikely to offer you much information in this regard. I'm sorry."

Taliesin:
::Taliesin smiled warmly as Aelar misinterpreted his question. And yet he still managed to answer the question. He reached out and gently touched Aelar's shoulder. "No matter the tribe, we are all children of Silvanus. Thank you for your time and knowledge, brother." He took a step back and bowed to Aelar. "I look forward to seeing what you and your wife's master hands can make." As he moved to the door he paused for a moment. "If any of my companions come by, please do not tell them you saw me or where I am going. This is something I need to do on my own for now." With that he stepped to the door and took his leave to venture to the Northwest quarter. ::

Taliesin:
::Taliesin walked to the Northwest Quarter and upon meeting any groups of elves he would strike up conversation. His message to all was quite similar in form with changes to match those gathered.The base admittance was spoken with conviction after introductions.::

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

I'm sure you have all seen the refugees pouring in at Westgate and roaming the streets. These are those that managed to escape Donal's Crossing and others from Kyr.

Ruin has found hold and gathered a vast army. Those of you, devout and learned folk, you know her as Hectapol. For a time it is safe to remain behind the walls of Astor City. But even this will see her armies upon it before long.

Silvanus, Monarch of the Glade, has need of his children to be united. No matter whom we follow under the Circle of Adonai we come from Silvanus.

In spite of history the Alurani will rally behind The Prince of Leaves sent by Silvanus and will fight by the side of all tribes, Mareki and Naithrani included. Hectapol comes whether you believe or not. Please share the story and get word back home. No matter how far we go, we are all Illyrian's.

If any of you have contact to Alurani ... Send word that Taliesin Korvalis of Sor Alaryn lives and seeks his family.

:: Lifts the leaf icon from his pocket and displays it for those near to see:: In spite of what I have lived through I follow in the path Silvanus has laid before me. We are all brothers and sisters ... it is time we showed the world this.

(CHA Check --- Rolled 14+3)