The Tale of
The Memorial Grove

Day of the Huntress, day 9 of the month Lormesta in the year 5104

Temple, Graveyard]
A large white marble monument stands watch over this quiet tree-lined bower. The air is cool, and the silence is broken only by the rustling of leaves in a breeze. A feeling of peace blankets the area, and the soft earth seems to invite you to sit and contemplate.
Obvious paths: southeast, southwest

Hythande just arrived.

You see Hythande the Herbalist.
She appears to be a Sylvankind of the Lassaran D'ahranal.
She appears to be young and average height. She has almond-shaped pale blue eyes and alabaster skin. She has long, shiny golden blonde hair with the top pulled into a loose ponytail and the rest flowing gracefully over her shoulders. She has a heart-shaped face and a straight nose.
She is in good shape.
She is holding an engraved rowan runestaff in her right hand.
She is wearing a silver modwir leaf hairclip, a thick grey-green wool cloak clasped with a small leaf talisman, a hip-length green leather vest, a long-sleeved white cotton gown, a braided pale green silk belt fastened with a silver ring, and a pair of soft grey-green boots.

Hythande nods solemnly in greeting.

Hythande quietly says, "Good eve."

You smile at Hythande.

You say, "Evening."

Khellian nods to Hythande in greeting.

Elanywn grins at Hythande.

Elanywn sighs.

You hear a flawless imitation of the hoot of an owl come from Khellian!

Hythande raises an eyebrow.

Hythande cocks her head at Elanywn.

Hythande smiles at Elanywn.

Hythande quietly asks, "Yes?"

Elanywn nods to Hythande.

Elanywn sweetly says, "Be right back."

Elanywn stands up.

Elanywn just went southeast.

Hythande quietly says, "A moment, while I collect my thoughts."

Hythande settles down cross-legged near one of the trees lining this area.

Tyehands nods to Hythande in greeting.

Elanywn just arrived.

Elanywn sits down.

Elanywn grins.

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

Tyehands asks, "Getting in the mood fer the storytellin?"

You smile at Hythande.

Tyehands smiles at Hythande.

Davido says, "Excellent Idea."

Deavon says, "Always helps to get comfortable."

Deavon nods to Hythande.

Davido removes some Silver Unicorn rum from in his silk backpack.
Davido takes a drink from his Unicorn rum.
Davido's eyes glaze over slightly and his face pales.
Davido is stunned!

Tyehands smiles.

Deavon just nudged Davido.

Deavon says, "Not quite that comfortable."

Davido put some Silver Unicorn rum in his silk backpack.

Deavon gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

Jacinto grins.

Davido smirks.

Tyehands says, "We need one of them fluffy rolton rugs."

Tyehands chuckles.

Noxley scoots over in front of you.

You nod to Noxley.
You say, "Sorry, I am tall."

You grin at Noxley.

Noxley says, "Oh yeahs."

Speaking to you, Noxley says, "I'm Noxley."

Shadowstorm grins.

Speaking to Noxley, you say, "Glad to meet ye. My name is Iscikella."

You nod to Noxley.

Shadowstorm offers Noxley some sweet white Illistim wine.

Tyehands says, "I'll drink to that."

Noxley grins.

Tyehands raises her white Illistim wine skyward!

Noxley accepts Shadowstorm's white Illistim wine.

Hythande rests her runestaff across her knees and gazes up at the sky for a moment.

Davido says, "I'll drink to dang near anything."

Tyehands takes a drink from her white Illistim wine.
Noxley takes a drink from his white Illistim wine.

Davido smiles.

Shadowstorm nods to Noxley.

Noxley says, "Oh boy."

Davido sits down.
Davido rests his hands on his knees and breathes deep to relax.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Uh-oh."

Tyehands asks, "Thirsty Hythande?"

Tyehands smiles.

Tyehands offers Hythande some sweet white Illistim wine.

Speaking to Shadowstorm, Noxley says, "This is as good as a Winedotter wine."

Tyehands says, "From Illistim."

Tyehands winks at Hythande.

Hythande quietly says, "A cup of water would not go unthanked, but wine would not be best right now."

Tyehands says, "Ahh."

Hythande quietly says, "I am not a skilled storyteller, and I fear to muddle matters."

Hythande smiles.

Tyehands says, "Understandable."

Tyehands coughs.

(Shadowstorm nods sagely)

Tyehands leans against a large white marble monument.
Tyehands takes a drink from her white Illistim wine.

Two armored dwarves walk past arguing in Common. "I say it's hogwash!" one rumbles. "The sylvans stick to their trees, and we stick to our caves. No cause for one to be aiding one of us, her story's bunk!" The other snorts loudly before replying, "Judge the truth of it in the graveyard, if you're wonderin' over her tale, aye? Don't be hurling axes at targets ye caint even see..." The rest of their conversation goes unheard as they pass out of sight.

Hythande looks puzzled at the dwarves' retreating backs.

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

You clear your throat.

Tyehands asks, "Armored Dwarves? do they come any other way?"

Hythande quietly says, "We're over here."

Tyehands works her fingers under her rabbit fur hat and scratches her head.

Deavon chuckles.

Hythande shrugs.

(Shadowstorm glances at the dwarves)

Hythande waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

Sonderlin says, "Naked."

Sonderlin nods to Tyehands.

Tyehands begins chuckling at Sonderlin!

You grin at Hythande.

Hythande says, "A moment longer, or two... in case any stragglers wish to come..."

Hythande says, "And then I will begin."

Tyehands places her hands beneath her chin and turns her eyes up to the heavens.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Can't wait."

Shadowstorm smiles.

Shadowstorm folds his arms behind his head and takes a deep breath, relaxing.

The sun sinks into its slow westward descent.

Noxley takes a drink from his white Illistim wine.
Noxley hiccups!
Noxley blushes a bright deep carmine to the tops of his ears.

Hythande quietly says, "Well, then. Where to begin..."

Hythande absentmindedly traces one of the carvings on her runestaff.

Tyehands turns an inquisitive ear towards Hythande.

You cock your head at Hythande.

Hythande says, "At the beginning, I suppose, or where it began for me."

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

You nod to Hythande.

Noxley touches one finger to his lips.

Hythande says, "Over... fifty years ago, now... I was tasked to search through my great-grandfather's possessions for a missing article with some sentimental value to my family."

Hythande says, "In the search, I encountered something else -- a journal belonging to this man."

Hythande says, "I had never known him, for he died long before my birth, and it piqued my curiosity, so I carefully opened it and began to read."

Shadowstorm raises an eyebrow.

Noxley looks thoughtfully at Hythande.

Hythande softly says, "The events of this journal took place several years before his death..."

Hythande softly says, "And so I was surprised when I found that his thoughts had turned to death."

Shadowstorm sits up.

Hythande says, "He expressed his regret that he would not be laid to rest in the place where my great-great-grandmother had lain."

Hythande says, "Now, I had never given much thought into my heritage. The members of my family are wanderers, and have been for..."

Hythande chuckles.

Noxley nods.

Hythande says, "Time long enough for many to forget that we were ever other, at the very least."

Hythande says, "I continued to read, and learned much more of the site of my great-great-grandmother's death..."

Hythande says, "A tale that I will relate to you now, as best I am able."

You smile at Hythande.

Hythande says, "It was reinforced much by the words of others, when I began to ask and search, and much of what I learned, others learned for me... I have never been a scholar."

Hythande's cheeks flush with a soft shade of apricot.

Hythande says, "So please, forgive my stilted words, and remember that others aided me in what I did learn."

Shadowstorm smiles.

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

Tyehands smiles at Hythande.

Hythande straightens her back and crosses her wrists lightly over the runestaff resting across her knees.

You lean forward and rest your chin in your hand, a thoughtful expression on your face.

Hythande says, "Generations ago, my family settled for a time in a forest where they believed no others lived."

Hythande says, "They built their homes high above in the tree canopy, as we are prone to do."

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "However, much to their surprise, they discovered that the area was already inhabited..."

You cock your head at Hythande.

Vallkyrie gives Kadesha a friendly hug.

Hythande says, "Not by anyone who would encounter the sylvans on a day-to-day basis, but by a group of dwarves who lived far below, and had lived there long before my family came."

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

You say, "Ah..."

Hythande says, "They were surprised at first by the contact, and avoided the dwarves..."

Hythande says, "Over time, however, the two groups came into contact again and again, and slowly began to converse."

Deavon says, "How fascinating."

Deavon ponders.

Hythande says, "Over more time, they grew friendly, and then began to trade goods between themselves."

Hythande says, "The wealth of the forest exchanged for silver and mithril from the dwarven caverns."

You smile at Hythande.

Hythande touches her hairclip lightly.

Hythande says, "This is far older than I am, and it was also discovered among my great-grandfather's effects..."

Hythande carefully says, "I am not sure, fully, but -- I believe it belonged to my great-great-grandmother."

Kadesha quietly asks, "Did sylphs learn how to brew better ale then?"

Kadesha ducks her head.

You look closely at Hythande, examining a silver modwir leaf hairclip. You can tell nothing else about it from here.

You say, "Is lovely."

Hythande smiles.

Jacinto grins at Kadesha.

You nod to Hythande.

Vallkyrie snickers at Kadesha.

Hythande says, "I am sure they did not! The dwarves are unsurpassed, among those who appreciate such."

Shadowstorm deeply asks, "And dwarves to climb trees?"

Hythande smiles at Kadesha.

Shadowstorm laughs!

Kadesha turns to Hythande and cheers!

Hythande quietly says, "But this friendship was not to last."

Kadesha touches one finger to her lips.

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

You frown.

Hythande says, "From my great-grandfather's notes, and the records left by others, we believe that less than ten years passed before an illness struck the dwarven colony."

Jacinto says, "Oh my. ."

Atania blinks.

You grimace.

Kadesha winces.

Hythande asks, "I am told that it is not unknown for dwarves to encounter strange illnesses underground... mostly in their breathing?"

Hythande glances at Kadesha.

You glance at Kadesha.

Tyehands glances at Kadesha.

Kadesha begins to twitch.

Amilia coughs.

Hythande says, "This was long before the battle of Maelshyve."

Kadesha quietly says, "We sturdy folk.. mostly."

Hythande says, "But the cavern was very old... there were no details of it in the records we found, of course."

Hythande says, "Because none of the sylvans ever saw it."

Vallkyrie says, "But short."

Shadowstorm coughs.

Hythande says, "But the dwarves were afflicted, and the disease raced like wildfire through their ranks."

Hythande says, "Their breathing became strained and ragged... their hearts weakened."

You bite your lip.

Hythande says, "More than half were paralyzed, and the other half were terribly afraid."

Vallkyrie says, "A fearful dwarf? not something you see often."

You say, "Oh! Paralyzed! That's terrible."

Hythande says, "At first, my people tried to help their trading partners."

Hythande says, "Like all the elves, we are very resistant to disease."

Hythande says, "But..."

Hythande shakes her head slowly.

You hold your breath.

Hythande says, "It was quickly learned that we, too, could fall prey to this horrible sickness."

Vallkyrie gasps.

You gasp.

Shadowstorm raises an eyebrow.

Hythande says, "The symptoms varied, somewhat... my great-grandfather was not a healer, and did not record how they varied."

Noxley grips his white Illistim wine a little tighter.

Hythande says, "Nor, so far as we could discover, did any other records of the time."

Kadesha sighs.

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "But it was equally lethal, and, while it did not seem to spread over-swiftly from sylvan to sylvan... it spread very, very swiftly from the dwarves."

You bite your lip.

Hythande says, "Perhaps because they lived underground, where this plague was born... perhaps... I do not know."

Vallkyrie traces a sign while petitioning the spirits for cognition...
Vallkyrie gestures at Kadesha.
Kadesha begins to breathe more deeply.

(Shadowstorm looks thoughtful)

Hythande says, "For my people to survive, it was clear that they would need to leave, and swiftly."

Kadesha grunts, amused.

Kadesha pokes Vallkyrie in the ribs.

Hythande says, "None of their medicines were effective."

You say, "Understandable to want to leave then, aye."

You nod to Hythande.

Shadowstorm nods.

Hythande says, "Quickly, as is our way, they dismantled their aerie homes and destroyed all evidence of the encampment before leaving, so that the forest would be in a natural state once more."

Hythande says, "But... not all of the sylvans were willing to go."

Vallkyrie asks, "Oh?"

You cock your head at Hythande.

Hythande says, "A handful of sylvan healers said that they would remain with their patients at any cost."

Vallkyrie says, "How noble."

Hythande says, "My great-great-grandmother was among them."

Jacinto nods.

You smile at Hythande.

Kadesha smiles at Hythande.

Hythande says, "The story, as I tell it now, is not quite the order in which my great-grandfather recorded it."

Hythande says, "Nor is it the way in which I learned it."

Hythande says, "But... I think it will make more sense, to tell it in the order of time instead."

Noxley nods.

Hythande softly says, "I am not skilled at this. Forgive me if I do confuse or err."

Shadowstorm deeply says, "You're doing great, please continue..."

You say, "Is a very intriguing tale."

Hythande smiles gratefully.

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "The sylvans who remained behind required the living dwarves to leave their caverns."

Hythande says, "The tunnels were collapsed, so that the disease could not follow them out of the earth, and then the dwarves moved into makeshift shelters beneath the trees."

You ask, "I doubt that request was met easily?"

Hythande softly exclaims, "I would imagine not!"

You chuckle at Hythande.

You nod.

You say, "So would I."

Hythande says, "As they lived and worked and slept beside their patients... the disease slowly took its toll on the healers."

Jacinto slowly empties his lungs.

You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.

Noxley cringes.

Hythande says, "Three died, and two were ailing."

Kadesha sighs.

Shadowstorm frowns.

Warshin fidgets.

Vallkyrie asks, "Your grandmother?"

Hythande says, "Each day, beseeching Imaera for her aid, they ground new combinations of herbs in search of a cure."

Vallkyrie glances at Hythande.

Hythande quietly says, "She was the second lost."

You sigh.

Tyehands ponders.

Vallkyrie says, "I'm so sorry."

Warshin rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Kadesha ponders.

Hythande says, "I never knew her."

Hythande smiles wistfully.

Hythande says, "Or my great-grandfather. As I said, this all began when I was searching through his effects... but..."

Hythande waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

You say, "She sounds like a lady of conviction, however."

You smile at Hythande.

Hythande nods to you.

Hythande says, "So..."

Hythande says, "There came a day when one of the potions worked."

Shakrean turns an inquisitive ear towards Hythande.

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

Hythande says, "One of the dwarves began to show signs of recovery."

Tyehands wipes the sweat from her brow.

Amilia grins.

Hythande says, "Soon, this successful treatment was administered to all."

Hythande says, "But..."

Noxley grins, looking relieved.

Hythande says, "The same cure that aided the dwarves, did not work upon the sylvan healers."

Fawnessa leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.

A pained expression crosses Shadowstorm's face.

You sigh sadly.

Jacinto shakes his head.

Hythande says, "Something about the way in which the disease affected the sylvans was simply too different..."

You say, "Would make sense."

Vallkyrie nods to Hythande.

You nod to Hythande.

Charna cocks her head.

Vallkyrie says, "Different races after all."

Hythande says, "A third of the dwarves had been saved."

Kadesha quietly says, "Not enough ale immunity."

Vallkyrie begins chuckling at Kadesha!

Hythande says, "They laid the dead healers into the earth, as is the dwarven custom."

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Nay, the eyves should have used taler galsses."

Hythande says, "Beneath the trees that they had loved so well."

You bite your lip.

Jacinto nods to Hythande.

(Shadowstorm quiets back down)

Charna leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Hythande says, "There, they meant for the bodies to remain, undisturbed and unmolested, for all time... for the dwarves abandoned the area."

Malikary wiggles his nose.

You say, "Ah..."

Davido smiles.

Hythande says, "They could not trust any of their old tunnels, and they did not have the herbcraft of their fallen friends."

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "And... time passed, as it always does..."

You grin at Hythande.

Charna shivers.

You ask, "Does do that, doesn't it?"

Hythande says, "Which is where we rejoin my family. And my great-grandfather, who had left with the rest of the colony."

Jacinto nods.

Hythande says, "The migrating sylvans rejoined others of their kind, and the surviving dwarves crafted a new home."

Hythande says, "But there came a day when an old dwarven priest had a dream."

You cock your head at Hythande.

You ask, "What sort of dream?"

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

Hythande says, "In the dream, he recalled the place where the sylvans had been laid into the ground, and he felt a strong sense of urgency."

Hythande smiles at you.

Hythande says, "When he awakened, he gathered his clan and told them that he would have to return, and he asked who would come with him."

You ask, "Urgency? He sensed something wrong then?"

Hythande says, "Not... wrong..."

You bite your lip.

Hythande frowns.

Hythande says, "Or so I gather."

You cock your head at Hythande.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Hmm."

Hythande says, "I had access to sylvan records, not dwarven."

You smile at Hythande.

Hythande says, "These words travelled through more than one mouth before being set to parchment."

Hythande says, "Almost two score followed his vision and returned with him."

You say, "A well-loved priest then."

Shadowstorm deeply asks, "Two score!?"

You nod to Hythande.

Vallkyrie nods.

Hythande says, "There, they beheld a sight that caused them to stand and stare... even though they were dwarves, and beauty below the ground moves them far more than beauty above."

Hythande nods to you.

Shadowstorm whistles tunelessly to himself.

Hythande nods to Shadowstorm.

Kadesha leans forward.

(Shadowstorm listens attentively)

Hythande says, "Where there had once been only a wild forest and the remains of the old sylvan healers' lean-tos, there now was a glorious landscape of meadow and forest, all covered with wildflowers blooming in profusion."

Kadesha smiles.

You exclaim, "Oh!"

Vallkyrie blinks.

You clap your hands.

Vallkyrie says, "My goodness."

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Wow."

Noxley beams!

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

Hythande says, "Each was marvellous in its perfection, both in symmetry and hue... the dwarves were awestricken, for they knew nothing of the kind had been there before."

Jacinto smiles.

Eslar chuckles.

Hythande glances at Eslar.

Hythande nods to Eslar.

Hythande says, "They searched high and low for any sign of whoever might have tended the area, but they found nothing."

Hythande says, "Only the old priest saw anything at all..."

You ponder.

Noxley grins impishly.

You ask, "And what did he see?"

Warshin turns an inquisitive ear towards Hythande.

You lean forward.

Hythande says, "He swore that he had seen a graceful young sylvan garbed in robes of leaves and flowers kneeling among the trees."

(Shadowstorm looks up)

Vallkyrie says, "I'll wager it was the sylvan spirits who reamined."

You blink.

Hythande says, "Touching a lacy white flower."

Vallkyrie taps a sprig of Imaera's Lace.

You softly say, "Imaera..."

Hythande says, "When he approached, she was gone... but he saw the blossom, and, from the words of the healers, he recalled it to be Imaera's Lace."

Kadesha quietly asks, "Imaera?"

Hythande nods.

Kadesha smiles.

You beam at Hythande.

Malikary wiggles his nose.

Hythande says, "Upon returning to their home, the dwarves told the others in their clan of what they had seen."

Hythande says, "And how they believed Eonak's consort had blessed the place... and Eonak is, as I imagine all know, very dear to the dwarven heart."

Hythande smiles.

You grin.

Vallkyrie nods.

Kadesha smiles quietly to herself.

Hythande says, "Perhaps as much so as Lady Imaera to the sylvan heart."

You nod to Hythande.

Shadowstorm grins.

Hythande says, "So others went, and, though most of the first travellers were dwarven, the rumor of the place gradually reached other races as well."

Kadesha whispers, "Maybe why I always liked Sylvans but not much other elfs."

You grin at Kadesha.

Hythande says, "Sylvans, clerics of Imaera, and other curious folk asked to be led."

Vallkyrie leans forward.

Vallkyrie asks, "Where is this marveouls place?"

You say, "Was viewed as a holy place, I would think, aye."

You nod to Hythande.

Vallkyrie nods to you.

Shadowstorm deeply asks, "Truly, where..?"

Hythande says, "The dwarves kept the location to themselves, and they asked those they guided to keep the location silent as well... to preserve it, for they felt it to be sacred."

Hythande nods to you.

Shadowstorm nods.

Deavon raises her hand.

Warshin nods.

Speaking softly to Vallkyrie, Hythande says, "Ah, well. I'll come to that part, I promise."

Kadesha nods.

Noxley beams happily at Hythande!

Hythande says, "The dwarves did not want the graves to be violated, but they felt it would be wrong not to lead those who came respectfully."

Vallkyrie nods to Hythande.

You nod to Hythande.

Deavon asks, "You said it t'was your great grandmother? That would mean that this is a recent legend?"

Hythande says, "And it came to pass that the descendants of the sylvan colony heard of the dwarven colony's survival."

Deavon ponders.

Hythande says, "My great-great grandmother."

Deavon says, "Ah."

Deavon says, "A bit older legend then."

Deavon grins.

Hythande asks, "Recent... an awkward term to use, perhaps?"

Deavon nods to Hythande.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "And we're speaking of elves....thats quite a bit of time..."

Hythande says, "My people live over thousands of years, after all... so perhaps it is recent for us in generations."

Deavon nods to Shadowstorm.

Malikary calmly says, "We live fer thousands o years."

Hythande says, "The human folk would not find it so, nor the dwarven, I think."

Hythande smiles.

Hythande coughs.

Deavon grins.

Hythande says, "Over a thousand years, pardon."

You smile at Hythande.

Hythande says, "I am unused to gatherings such as this, and my words slip..."

Hythande shakes her head.

Shadowstorm nods.

Hythande says, "In any case--"

Deavon says, "My apologies for interrupting."

Deavon nods to Hythande.

You say, "The descendants of the sylvan colony came to know of the dwarves survival and..."

Hythande says, "Many of the original settlers of the colony still lived, of course... but over a century had passed since the rediscovery, by the time the sylvans learned of the matter."

You lean forward.

Robberte says, "Hythande no need to apologize, some of us are newer here than otehrs."

Hythande smiles at Robberte.

Hythande nods gratefully.

Davido smiles.

Hythande says, "The old dwarven priest had long since been laid to rest in the burial cavern, and others near him."

Hythande says, "The surroundings seemed to sorrow at his passing, for the flowers did not bloom as brightly, grow as strongly, or smell as sweetly..."

Hythande softly says, "Or perhaps, with such a constant stream of visitors, Imaera no longer tended where she once did."

Shadowstorm frowns.

You sadly exclaim, "Oh!"

Noxley ponders.

Hythande says, "As rumor of the sacred site spread, more were laid to rest there, and, over time, many came to honor their own ancestors instead of the Lady of the Green or the sylvan sacrifice."

Hythande says, "Compared to the great tombs of the elves, or the battlefield cemetaries of the humans, perhaps this was unimpressive..."

Hythande quietly says, "I have not seen it, to judge for my own eyes."

You say, "But sometimes less is more."

You grin at Hythande.

Hythande says, "But my great-grandfather wrote that they possessed a peace all their own."

Hythande says, "For he did return."

Hythande says, "After confirming the rumor of the place, the sylvan folk made contact with the dwarves and asked if they might pay respects to their dead kin."

Hythande says, "The dwarves consented with little debate, knowing that it would have been the wish of the dead."

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "Many of the sylvan visitors were moved strongly by the sight of the place."

Hythande says, "Their grief over the loss of the dwarven colony and the destruction of the sylvan colony had never left them, nor had the pain of the loss of their kin..."

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

Hythande says, "A not-insignificant group of sylvans swore to take up the mantles of caretakers, to watch over the place for their lives and never to abandon their fallen kin again."

You nod to Hythande.

Warshin nods.

Hythande quietly says, "My great-grandfather was not among this group... something he regretted profoundly, in his later life."

Hythande quietly says, "It was that regret that brought him to write down the words I later found."

You say, "Ah..."

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "The sylvan skill with plants is renowned, of course, and unmatched."

Hythande smiles.

Eslar coughs.

Eslar squints at Hythande.

You grin at Hythande.

Hythande glances at Eslar.

Malikary wiggles his nose.

Hythande's cheeks flush with a soft shade of apricot.

You see Eslar the Huntmaster.
He appears to be a Forest Gnome of the Greengair Bloodline.
He appears to be in the meridian of life and short. He has close-set greenish-grey eyes and saffron-tinted skin. He has short, shaggy light brown hair with grey tufts behind the ears. He has a bulbous nose.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a dark green felt hat, a brown and black fur cloak, a blackened deringo light crossbow, a dark-hued heavy leather shirt, a braided brown leather belt, a rabbit hide belt quiver, a soft grey moleskin pouch, some laced dark brown breeches, and a pair of scuffed leather boots.

Hythande says, "Though there are those who practice similar arts."

Noxley smirks.

Eslar nods, looking satisfied, and sits back slightly.

Shadowstorm grins.

You chuckle.

Noxley nods to Eslar.

Hythande says, "Once more, the meadows bloomed in riotous color."

(Davido removes his gloves and examines his two black-thumbs)

Davido sighs.

Hythande says, "And the fragrance was unequalled by any elven perfume."

Hythande smiles.

You lean forward and rest your chin in your hand, a thoughtful expression on your face.

Hythande says, "But, again, the tale takes a darker turn..."

Warshin sighs.

You listen carefully to Hythande.

Deavon grins at Hythande.

Kadesha grins at Davido.

Hythande says, "Despite the efforts of dwarves and sylvans alike to keep the garden safe, stories of the hidden graveyards reached a necromancer."

Jacinto slowly empties his lungs.

Jacinto stares off into space.

Shadowstorm raises an eyebrow.

Kadesha frowns.

Noxley fidgets.

Hythande says, "He was half-blooded, by what little I was able to discern... partially human, and partially elven."

You exclaim, "Oh, one of those!"

Davido cowers.

A pained expression crosses Warshin's face.

You say, "They are always causing trouble."

You shake your head.

Shadowstorm scowls at you.

Noxley laughs at himself!

Davido mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

Kadesha quietly asks, "Sorcerers?"

You cough.

Hythande says, "His exact motivation cannot be guessed, but the nature of his visit became quite clear when the screaming of a banshee awakened the caretakers."

Kadesha grins at you.

You hum a random, wandering tune.

You blink at Hythande.

Noxley's whole body trembles with fear.

Kadesha scowls.

You ask, "A banshee?"

Noxley scoots over in front of you.

Hythande says, "Despite living in peace within this sacred land for decades, the caretakers were forced to take up whatever weapons they could find in order to defend themselves."

Noxley shivers.

Jacinto shakes his head.

Hythande says, "They were victorious, but several were lost within the battle."

Warshin blinks.

You frown.

Vallkyrie sighs.

Hythande says, "The caretakers laid their dead kin to rest, and then dragged the necromancer's body away..."

Vallkyrie says, "Sorcs are always causing trouble."

Hythande says, "Somewhere distant and unpleasant, I gathered from the writing, although this had passed through many mouths before reaching my great-grandfather's ear."

You shudder.

Shadowstorm coughs.

(Davido mumbles "Necromancers..." and something incoherent, then spits on the ground)

Hythande says, "A gyrhawk had befriended one of the caretakers, and the sylvans sent the gyrhawk to the dwarven colony to tell them of what had happened."

(Shadowstorm shifts slightly)

Hythande says, "The caretakers had concocted a desperate plan, for they were adamant that no one would ever defile the site again."

Shadowstorm nods.

You say, "Hmmm..."

Warshin turns an inquisitive ear towards Hythande.

Hythande says, "At the first light of dawn, they would seal the garden against further intrusion, using a powerful magic that I will not describe fully to you..."

You say, "The forest magic..."

Noxley looks thoughtfully at Hythande.

Hythande says, "It would prevent anyone else from ever desecrating the sacred soil, for none would be able to find it."

You nod to Hythande.

Hythande says, "They asked the dwarves to come one last time, that they might be taught the art of travelling in and out of the barrier."

Noxley blinks.

Kadesha smiles at Hythande.

Jacinto nods.

Hythande says, "For some of their kin had been buried there as well, as you recall from earlier in the tale...."

You nod to Hythande.

You say, "Only right."

Hythande says, "The dwarves left immediately, but they never reached their destination."

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

You blink at Hythande.

Davido frowns. Hythande says, "The necromancer had not acted alone. His allies were waiting on the road into the wilderness."

Davido furrows his brow.

Jacinto shakes his head.

Deavon frowns.

You sigh heavily.

Noxley flails his arms about.

Shadowstorm scowls.

Warshin scowls.

Hythande says, "The precise nature of these allies, I do not know. I hesitate to guess."

Kadesha whispers, "They found a tavern on the way?"

You elbow Kadesha in the ribs in a playful sort of way.

You say, "Probably better not to know."

Malikary smiles at Kadesha.

You nod to Hythande.

Kadesha frowns.

Hythande says, "They fell upon the dwarven party, taking them quite by surprise, and, wielding horrifying magics, destroyed them."

Hythande slowly empties her lungs.

You gasp.

Kadesha tightens her grip on her orase runestaff.

You clasp a hand over your mouth.

Shadowstorm sighs.

Davido gasps.

(Robberte scowls, blinks twice, and touches each temple one at a time)

Hythande says, "There were others following, for the dwarves had sent not one party, but two... the first group, and then others decided to follow."

Hythande says, "They took swift and merciless revenge, hacking the foes limb from limb."

Noxley shakes his head.

You grimace.

Noxley's face turns slightly pale.

Hythande says, "After dispatching these enemies, they hurried on to the meeting point at the trail..."

Hythande says, "But it was too late."

You warily ask, "Too late?"

Davido moans.

Hythande says, "They could not determine the path's location, despite all their searching, for the sylvan magic clouded their minds."

You bite your lip.

Hythande says, "The sun had already risen."

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Oh no..."

You nod to Hythande.

Tyehands hangs her head.

You say, "Is a powerful thing, the forest magic."

Warshin sighs.

Hythande says, "And that is all that my great-grandfather knew."

Noxley nods to you.

Hythande says, "But it is not the end of the tale."

Speaking to you, Noxley says, "Indeed."

Robberte asks, "Was there no way to block the clouding caused by the sylvan magic? a charm or spell?"

You listen carefully to Hythande.

Jacinto asks, "Not the end?"

(Shadowstorm leans forward)

Hythande says, "When I uncovered this journal and read through it, it preyed heavily upon my mind."

Jacinto says, "Oh, right."

You nod to Hythande.

You say, "I could understand why."

Hythande says, "My family matters dearly to me, and I could not forget my great-grandfather's grief in the matter, even though I never met him."

Jacinto nods to Hythande.

Hythande says, "I spoke with my friends and my kin, and sought more answers to the story..."

Hythande says, "Most of all, the location."

You cock your head at Hythande.

Hythande says, "This was not readily done. Most believed it to be a legend at best..."

Hythande says, "So far as I could discover, the dwarves have not even a legend remaining of the place."

Hythande says, "I could not be certain even of what clan took part in the matter..."

You bite your lip.

Speaking to Kadesha, Hythande says, "And, forgive me, but the dwarven clans are difficult to separate for me."

Hythande smiles.

You laugh softly, trying to hide your amusement.

Warshin smiles.

Robberte says, "Most legends are at least in part based on truth, the more legendary are often the most real."

Hythande says, "My companions and I searched for decades."

You glance at Kadesha.

You whistle tunelessly to yourself, remembering days past.

Hythande says, "Finally, however, we learned the rest of it, from a source we had not expected..."

Hythande cocks her head at Eslar.

Speaking to Eslar, Hythande asks, "Would you like to finish?"

Eslar chuckles.

Kadesha quietly says, "Sylphs all look alike too."

Eslar says, "Mayhap."

Kadesha nods to Hythande.

You poke Kadesha in the ribs.

Deavon raises an eyebrow in Eslar's direction.

Kadesha smiles at Hythande.

Eslar asks, "Are you going to be all polite about it?"

(Shadowstorm looks to Eslar)

You chuckle.

Hythande asks, "Yes?"

Eslar chuckles.

Deavon chuckles.

Noxley appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Eslar says, "You're almost too polite, I'm not sure I feel like talking."

Malikary rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Hythande gets a blank look on her face.

Malikary sniffs at Eslar.

Elanywn sweetly says, "No please go on Hythande tis very interesting."

Noxley begs and pleads with Eslar.

Kadesha nods to Hythande.

Eslar grins at Noxley.

Noxley says, "Must have story..."

Speaking in Gnomish, Eslar says something you don't understand.

Noxley flails his arms about.

Speaking in Gnomish, Eslar says something you don't understand.

Eslar grins at Noxley.

You cock your head at Eslar.

Khellian hoots.

Speaking in Gnomish, Noxley exclaims something you don't understand.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Please, do enlighten us, master gnome."

Noxley beams happily at Eslar!

Fawnessa grins ear-to-ear.

Eslar says, "So. The dwarves turned back, they couldn't find the place."

You say, "I'd certainly like to here what there is to add."

You nod to Eslar.

Warshin turns to face Eslar.

Eslar says, "And the sylvans sealed it off."

Shadowstorm nods to Eslar.

Jacinto peers quizzically at Eslar.

(Robberte closes his eyes, listenign intently to teh story)

Elanywn sweetly says, "Nae i wish for the family story from a fellow sylph."

Eslar asks, "But we knew about the place, yes?"

Elanywn turns an inquisitive ear towards Hythande.

Jacinto says, "Oh. The Gnomes knew."

Eslar says, "There's a saying..."

Jacinto smiles at Eslar.

Deavon smiles at Eslar.

Eslar says, "Eh, I won't bother you with it."

Eslar waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.

You chuckle at Eslar.

Shadowstorm laughs!

Eslar says, "But I'm Greengair."

You ask, "Why not?"

Jacinto says, "Tell us, please."

Eslar laughs!

Speaking to Hythande, Eslar says, "Your story's getting disrupted, they all want gnome stories."

Hythande stares at Eslar.

Tyehands chuckles.

Noxley chuckles.

(Robberte looks awake, given his love for obscure sayings and wisdoms)

You say, "What we want is to hear the end of this story."

Davido says, "Truly."

Davido nods to Hythande.

Eslar says, "Lines of blood."

Shadowstorm deeply asks, "Hmm?"

Eslar says, "I'm Greengair bloodline. It wouldn't mean as much to non-gnomes, I guess..."

Eslar says, "What it means most of all, for the story, is..."

Eslar says, "We heard of Imaera's work, and we came."

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

You cock your head at Eslar.

Malikary calmly asks, "Yer onna da tree brothas?"

Malikary peers quizzically at Eslar.

Eslar says, "We came long before the place was ever closed."

Eslar says, "Whether or not the sylvans ever knew..."

Eslar chuckles.

Noxley chuckles.

Eslar says, "That's a trap long sprung."

Khellian snickers to himself.

Fawnessa appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Noxley laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Eslar asks, "Who knows now?"

Eslar says, "But we came, some of us, and we stayed."

Eslar says, "And one of us was there the day the tree-elves closed the place."

Jacinto raises an eyebrow.

Eslar says, "When they cast their magic, the last one was still outside, watching for the dwarves."

Malikary calmly says, "Real elfs."

Malikary nods to Eslar.

Eslar says, "So he had to go back INSIDE afterward..."

Eslar says, "And this gnome, long ago, found the key."

Jacinto smiles.

Warshin turns an inquisitive ear towards Eslar.

Tyehands flashes a wide grin.

You ask, "Oh?"

Eslar says, "By watching."

Shadowstorm deeply asks, "The key?"

You cock your head at Eslar.

Rekarth ponders.

Noxley grins mischievously.

You say, "To the forest magic..."

Jacinto says, "Clever fellow."

You squint at Eslar.

Eslar briskly says, "The magic key, you know? To go through where the sylvans go?"

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Ah.."

Shadowstorm nods.

Eslar says, "So, my folk came, and my folk stayed."

Eslar says, "We tried to stay out of the eyes of the sylvans."

Eslar says, "But, when the last one died, we buried him by his friends, and we planted all seeds on his grave."

Eslar says, "So it's said. All this comes back through words. I'm a sight younger than that, you can bet."

Eslar grins.

Hythande smiles at Eslar.

Elanywn grins.

Eslar says, "We heard of the sylvans looking, finally."

Khellian grins.

Eslar says, "More like, someone OVERheard the sylvans looking, and then word travelled..."

Eslar whistles jauntily.

Jacinto grins at Eslar.

You squint.

Sonderlin says, "More likely underheard."

Shadowstorm chuckles.

Noxley smirks.

Eslar says, "We argued a bit about the matter. After all, we'd been living in part of it and near the rest."

Davido says, "Gnomes do frequently have the problem of people speaking down to them."

Eslar says, "But we buried that last, way back when, and 'twouldn't be fitting to leave his..."

Davido ducks his head.

Eslar asks, "What did you say you were again?"

Eslar cocks his head at Hythande.

Hythande asks, "Descendents?"

Eslar says, "No, no."

Eslar asks, "How far down?"

Hythande says, "Great-great granddaughter."

Eslar says, "There you go."

Eslar says, "Wouldn't be right to leave all the great-great grandchilder out of where their kin was buried."

Eslar says, "Not, mind, that I'll be telling you now where to find it."

Eslar says, "But there's an agreement made between my family and hers, and we'll be showing her how to get there."

Jacinto smiles.

Eslar says, "On the morrow."

Davido grins.

You say, "Ah, I see."

(Shadowstorm nods approvingly)

Noxley grins.

Eslar says, "And the rest of her crew, may-they-not-be-too-large..."

Malikary furrows his brow.

Eslar says, "And some, as far as we can tell, of the first dwarves."

Jacinto smiles at Eslar.

Eslar says, "'Character is written in lines of blood'. If it's as true for the dwarves as for us, then they'll be good folk, I imagine."

Eslar says, "That's all the story."

Hythande nods to Eslar.

You smile.

Deavon nods.

Deavon says, "Indeed."

Shadowstorm applauds.

Jacinto smiles at Eslar.

Khellian smiles.

Hythande quietly says, "Thank you very much, Eslar."

Eslar waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Krellus smiles at Eslar.

Rekarth ponders.

Eslar stands up.

Malikary wiggles his nose.

Davido applauds.

Speaking to Hythande, Eslar says, "I'll be going, now, less you have anything further."

Hythande shakes her head.

Hythande smiles at Eslar.

Shadowstorm stands up.

Eslar nods.

Eslar just went southeast.

Deavon chuckles.

Noxley ponders.

Hythande quietly says, "And that is the sum of the matter."

Deavon says, "Fast get-away."

Warshin blinks.

Noxley nods to Hythande.

Tyia smiles.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Before I could bow..."

Shadowstorm sits down.

Deavon says, "Thank you, m'Lady for bringing us this fascinating tale."

You say, "So then sylvans will get to honor their dead there... as will the dwarves."

Hythande asks, "He's acted as the... spokesperson, perhaps, for his group?"

You say, "That's a good thing."

Kadesha glares at Sonderlin.

Deavon nods to Hythande.

Hythande says, "But he doesn't like a lot of eyes. I was very glad he was willing to help."

Hythande says, "It didn't seem quite right to tell that part myself."

Hythande smiles.

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "It was truly noble of him."

Hythande stands up.

Kadesha quietly asks, "May I ask a question Mythande?"

Hythande says, "Bright skies, this crowd has grown..."

Hythande gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

Hythande cocks her head at Kadesha.

Kadesha quietly asks, "Er Hythande?"

You grin at Hythande.

Speaking to Kadesha, Hythande asks, "Yes?"

Deavon says, "I'm sorry that my husband missed your story, he is a cleric of Imaera."

Deavon sighs.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "You'll have to write of your experiences tommorrow, Hythande."

Shadowstorm deeply says, "I'm quite curious."

Kadesha quietly says, "Is the term 'Sylph' an offense to your kind? I learned it from your kind initially, yet now I am being secretly lambasted for using the term."

Shadowstorm grins.

Hythande quietly says, "Perhaps, someday, he will be able to see the meadow itself. I could not say, however... it resides in a decision other than mine."

You clear your throat.

Shadowstorm coughs.

Hythande raises an eyebrow in Kadesha's direction.

Kadesha quietly says, "I always regarded your race warmly, with perhaps one or two notable exceptions."

Deavon smiles at Hythande.

Taesen chuckles.

Hythande says, "I am not a judge of etiquette."

Hythande frowns.

Sonderlin says, "I will tell you out loud, as I told you in private... a sylph is a capricious air elemental, NOT a sylvan."

(Vallkyrie whispers to Deavon...Aye, but he's so old he'd fergit the story as soon as it was told)

Hythande says, "My people call themselves sylvan."

Deavon begins chuckling at Vallkyrie!

You nod to Hythande.

Sonderlin nods to Hythande.

Hythande says, "Unless you intend it as an insult, I would not be insulted by it, but others might be."

Krellus nods to Hythande.

Hythande shrugs.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "Ah well, mistakes happen."

Davido sighs.

Kadesha quietly says, "I certainly did not mean it as an insult, but it was how many Sylvans I know referred to themselves."

Hythande quietly says, "Tomorrow."

Speaking to Hythande, you say, "Very good of ye to share that with us."

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

Davido says, "Truly, you need that."

Speaking calmly in Sylvankind, Malikary asks, "Hythande, who are you taking in with you tomorrow?"

Jacinto says, "Thank you for sharing."

Deavon curtsies to Hythande.

Shadowstorm deeply says, "An excellent tale, thank you Hythande."

Deavon says, "Again, my thanks, m'Lady."

Shadowstorm bows to Hythande.

Vallkyrie stands up.

Speaking in Sylvankind, Krellus says, "Thank you for the tale, it is not one I had heard."

Vallkyrie curtsies to Hythande.

Robberte says, "Yes, many thanks Hythande."

Krellus smiles at Hythande.

(Shadowstorm looks around at the group)

Hythande quietly says, "My family's search began when I read my great-great grandfather's journal."

Hythande quietly says, "But I am young among my people."

Hythande says, "It is not now my decision to make."

Hythande says, "Tomorrow, others with more authority than I will be present..."

Speaking calmly in Sylvankind, Malikary asks, "May I give you something to bring inside for me if I am unable to enter myself?"

Hythande carefully says, "But... I think..."

You ask, "From yer community, Hythande?"

You cock your head at Hythande.

You ask, "Or ye mean from the gnomes?"

Noxley raises an eyebrow.

Speaking sweetly in Sylvankind, Elanywn says, "I would greatly be honoured to be able to enter if at all possible."

Malikary just opened a tiger skin cloak.

Hythande says, "The gnomes will be guiding the group of my kin to the barrier."

You ask, "So the decision is theirs?"

Deavon says, "Ah, excellent."

Hythande says, "I believe a number of the dwarves will come as well."

You cock your head at Hythande.

Jacinto smiles at Hythande.

You ask, "Or yer kin and the dwarves' decision?"

Hythande says, "As for whether or not others may come..."

Hythande asks, "It would not hurt to try?"

Hythande says, "As I said, it is not my decision."

You smile at Hythande.

Speaking calmly in Sylvankind, Malikary asks, "In case I am unable, would you bring something inside for me?"

Malikary peers quizzically at Hythande.

Hythande cocks her head at Malikary.

Speaking in Sylvankind, Hythande asks, "What would you ask me to bring?"

Elanywn peers quizzically at Malikary.

Speaking sweetly in Sylvankind, Elanywn asks, "Aye?"

Speaking sweetly in Sylvankind, Elanywn says, "I'm interested too."

Elanywn giggles.

Malikary calmly says, "Few nights ago, Mal did bit o dedication ta da forgotten fallin."

Deavon smiles at Malikary. Malikary calmly says, "Mal ask dat small item be taken in so dat day kin ba ramembered in such a place."

Elanywn nods to Malikary.

Speaking in Sylvankind, Hythande says, "If the spell is ended, I cannot think that other sylvans will be discouraged from coming, though I do not know about those races who do not have kin laid to rest in that place."

Malikary calmly says, "A seed pahaps."

Hythande smiles at Malikary.

You nod to Hythande.

Speaking to Malikary, Hythande says, "So I think that, even if you cannot accompany us tomorrow... you are kin. I am sure they would not keep you out."

Elanywn beams happily at Malikary!

Malikary nods to Hythande.

Hythande says, "Unless there is anything further, I am going to go and rest."

Malikary calmly says, "Would mean much ta Mal if at least da seed goes in."

Robberte removes a small rose from in his black leather pouch.

You say, "Thank ye again for sharing the story."

You smile at Hythande.

Davido stands up.

Godyva smiles at Hythande.

Robberte offers Hythande a small rose.

Godyva says, "Thank you."

Davido bows to Hythande.

Hythande smiles at Robberte.

Hythande accepts Robberte's small rose.

Jacinto smiles.

Hythande puts on a small rose.

Noxley stands up.

Davido says, "Hythan Many thanks."

Jacinto applauds Hythande.

Hythande takes off a silver modwir leaf hairclip.

Noxley twists his head slightly, cracking his neck. He looks relieved.

Hythande carefully secures the rose into place with her hairclip.

Hythande puts on a silver modwir leaf hairclip.

Hythande waves.