RP:A Chance Meeting in Xalious

Part of the Surface Tension Arc

Synopsis: Nymh had a chance encounter with Baraneth on her way out of the wizards tower, and approached her with information about the ongoing conflict in Sage, directing her to Frostmaw.

Xalious Village

Baraneth moves through Xaliuos village in a leisurely sort of stroll, despite how odd that may be for this hour of the night. The elf's blue robes are an obvious sign of her status as a mage, yet her path doesn't seem to lead her toward the nearby tower that harbors those of the guild; in fact, she seems to be moving in the exact opposite direction. Despite how calm she seems to be, the woman is mindful of her surroundings and readily prepared should anything approach her too suddenly.

Nymh uses Xalious village as a haunt, often. Training in stealing, picking pockets, and breaking into houses. Picking pockets of small trinkets, and returning them to their owners, never seen. It was a good way to keep up with his stealth abilities, though it wasn't very profitable when you returned what you stole. He reclined in a tree, overlooking the village, cloaked and shadowed as only a drow could be, in the night. Observant as Baraneth was, it was unlikely she'd notice him. He didn't see many from the mages tower come this way though, since the war, and thought by her form, in spite of her robes, that she might be elven. "Excuse me, ma'am." The voice was pleasant, polite... if difficult to locate. "You have the look of a magus about you. I have heard nothing of the guild's involvement in the war in Sage, and think them unlikely to intervene in any manner, but if I don't miss my guess... you are elven." He'd hop down out of his tree, looking for all the world like a pure blooded drow. "I am called Nymh." He'd see her initial reaction, before explaining further.

Baraneth 's ears visibly twich when Nymh addresses her, her eyes instantly darting about for the source of the voice. She spots him when he leaps from the tree, taking a half step backward and silently summoning arcane energies that cast a soft azure glow around her arms, snaking slowly down to her palms to be deployed at a moment's notice should it become necessary. The appearance of this stranger as a pure blooded drow causes the elf's eyes to narrow to slits, but she resists the instinct to attack - after all, his initial approach isn't hostile. "You are half correct in your assumptions. I am elven, indeed, but I am not of the mage guild. I have certain issues with their leadership, which should be rather obvious to one as observant as yourself."

Nymh quirked a brow, not at her defensive posture, but at her presumption. "If I were spying on you, it would assuredly be obvious to me. However, I am not, and for all I know, you were simply taking a midnight stroll, to get some fresh air after your studies in a cozy little mages dorm room." He shrugged. "I am glad, though, that you aren't presuming I am hostile, enough so that you hesitate to attack. I do not come bearing hostile intentions, after all. Usually I sleep here after reconnaissance in Sage, where the Drow do not roam so freely. However, I thought I'd mention, if you didn't happen to know, that within Frostmaw, the elves marshal their forces. Within two weeks time they will fight to reclaim their home in Sage. Perhaps your aid could help." He seemed a bit unsettled, somehow, in spite of his calm tone. But, he kept his inner demons veiled, here.

Baraneth relaxes slightly, the aura around her arms growing fainter and less distinct. No doubt her magics can still be summoned readily, but she sees no reason to do so yet. "I have heard. I've met Emrith, a fellow elven warrior and I've already engaged the drow patrols in Sage. I hadn't heard of this timeline of two weeks, but it makes no real difference to me; I'd be ready in minutes if necessary. I suppose I'll have to meet with those organizing the effort, however..." She falls silent for a moment, her head tilting to the side as she keeps Nymh in focus. "...What I don't understand is why someone of drow blood encourages me to join with them. This would be a stupid approach if you were merely deceptive, so I suppose there's more to you than meets ones eye."

Nymh nodded to her words. "Deception is a large part of my trade, but it is not you I aim to deceive. In truth, I am half drow only. A gray elf, though I look the part of a pure blood, to most other than drow. I was a slave my whole life, in the underdark." His eye was narrowed. So many memories, so much pain to come to terms with, and still the trauma continued, unabated. "I am known in Frostmaw. I am a part of the Eyrie, joined at Hildegarde the Silver, steward of Frostmaw's side. Though the elves have little enough trust in me, I have earned her trust, and hers, and because of that, they welcome me in the war effort. I will march with the giants, playing a song of victory. Frostmaw will join in this war."

Baraneth seems at ease now, even if he guard isn't completely lowered. A nod is given at the news of Frostmaw's cooperation in the war, something she's only recently become aware of. "So I've heard, and their help is certainly welcome. The drow are dug into Sage, but they are not invincible. We need not assault the underdark to win...we only have to push them out, and I think that is inevitable. They are likely too proud to admit, but their losses will be too great to be sustainable...drow can hardly get along with one another, much less commit to a prolonged war effort, even against their natural enemies."

Nymh nodded. "Do not underestimate the drow, though. They have known change, and may know it again. There is no longer a matriarchy, ruled by the iron teat of the spider goddess, after all. They took Sage, and held it for a very long time. It would be a mistake to underestimate them." He wouldn't even try to fight them, if he'd seen Tiphareth D'artes presence in the war. He'd simply flee, and wouldn't even think it cowardice on his part. There were powers in the underdark... incredible powers. But it was First Daughter Gevurah D'artes they faced here, not Tiphareth. She was... considerably more fallible, by Nymh's estimation.

Baraneth folds her robed arms against her chest, acknowledging Nymh's words with a tip of her head. "Of course, but I have confidence in our victory. They have held Sage for far too long, which they were only able to take because of some unfortunate timidity and a reluctance to engage them in a lengthy conflict. That reluctance is now gone. In truth, I dislike using magic solely for war...it is a crude application of a remarkable talent. But until they are gone, that is where I focus my power."

Nymh nods. He disagrees with her assessment, but he won't dispute the point. He was a slave the entire time, after all. What did he know of such things? "I'm glad to see such resolve. Make your way to Frostmaw, let them know of your intentions. They will gladly receive you, and make great use of your talents, I am sure." He nodded, satisfied that that would be that. "It is an arduous journey to the land of eternal winter. Make sure to prepare accordingly." The seemingly taciturn individual would then turn to return to his tree, leaning against it and gazing at the stars. In truth, he had to shake the hallucinations, to center his mind, though it may seem like he disregarded her.

Baraneth allows a faint smile to appear upon her lips, but it is rather fleeting. Like many mages, she can be somewhat withdrawn and slightly aloof. "I shall. I'd rather reach such an unforgiving land by means of magic, but I need another cooperative individual for that." She can teleport, but not at great distances without the assistance of another. Such was the limits of her magic. "I am Baraneth. If you are truly on the side of the elves, I am sure we will cross paths again. Until then..." Her exit from the conversation is timely, as it appears Nymh is returning to the tree where he once was before she came along. She continues her stroll, moving along until she is a mere indistinct figure in the distance.