RP:Road Companions
Scenic View
Oh, the view! You think to yourself, as you overlook this cliff. You feel no fear from this great height, due to the amazing view down the mountain, to a tree-filled valley. From here you can see a large park, with people eating and playing sports of all kinds, as well as rolling hills and a large fountain. Beyond that is the great Xalious Tree, the incarnation that the god of the same name has taken. Also visible from here is a small village resting in a valley in between the mountains, and above that the great Mage Tower, the training place of the spell casters. You think you could stay here forever, taking in these wonderful sights, but you must press on soon. Off to the east, you notice a small hut in rather shoddy condition, probably unused for quite some time. In a quiet corner is a tiny little grave, freshly dug surounded by many flowers, the majority of them being baby's breath and and crisp fresh purple roses. All of them left in tribute for what you expect was a very young soul. A roughly carved statuette of a young feline is here, with, - You will not be forgotten' engraved in the base
Date: 12/22/14
Tasaki looks out beyond the cliffs to take in the wonder of the forest below. Many moments pass as the wood elf ranger sits upon his bedroll, a small fire burning next to him to help combat the bite of winter. It has been a long day for the lone elf, having taken to venture into Sage Forest earlier on, though he managed to evade the drow and leave no tracks behind. The forest was -their- home, not those dark skinned devils they once called kin! It pained Tasaki to see the state of his beloved forest now, so quite compared to the majestic songs sang by the wildlife that thrived when the wood elves were stewards of Sage. Now, after their exile at the hands of the dark elves, the forest was dormant and seemingly vacant of life. A deep sigh escapes Tasaki then, as he ponders the plight of his people. Lady Liana is gone, Landirion was defeated and the enclave is scattered to the far corners of the world. Frostmaw welcomed their people, but the frozen tundra was a harsh and unforgiving place, not suited for the elves of the forest. There was a great divide, to stay or leave, and the infighting had become too much for the simple ranger. So off into the wild unknown of the world he went, keeping to the safety of the wilderness and always a step ahead of the drow. What would be his next move? He wondered. He wished nothing more than for his people to fight, and reclaim the forest as their own, but he knew that unlike the dark elves, his people didn't not wish for open bloodshed, even against their mortal enemy. So, with his bow and trusty scimitars at his side, Tasaki has taken to the open road, allowing his life to venture where-ever it might take him.
Alana was newer to the area and was having difficulty adjusting to how much warmer it was, truly. In the mountains here the weather could be more temperamental, weather systems came and went quickly, and the young woman found the harsher terrain more comfortable. She dressed simply; a sturdy fur-lined cloak over a cloth tunic wrapped around her torso and a pair of loose fitting breeches with sturdy leather boots for hiking. Leather bracers adorned her wrists, tied on tightly, and a wooden walking staff was held in her hand. Its surface was decorated with wooden carvings of animals; predators, mostly, and it had its share of dents and gouges along its length. Alana had heard of the Xalious Tree and had been curious to see it; while not a deity she personally found much affinity for she respected the gods in general, good and evil, for their power. That was when the hints of a campfire touched her nose and she inhaled deeply, before diverting slightly from the path she had planned to track down the source of it. She didn’t move with any particular stealth, her approaching steps easily heard on the snow and rocks, as she entered the camp.
Tasaki was a ranger, and more importantly a wood elf, so the approach of another was known to him due to honed senses and a heightened sense of danger due to the ever present danger of his kind lurking so close to drow territory. He is up then, moving with startling ease among the cliff's side to find a better vantage point in which to hold against a possible enemy. On his way, he grabs his bow and quiver quickly and is in position within moments. He takes no immediate aggressive stance, and leaves himself exposed enough so as not to startle whoever may be coming his way. He knew this area was oft traveled, but precautions had to be taken. If a fight is what was wanted, a hard fight would be found. Wearing a leather tunic, and matching leggings, with a cloak to help him blend into the natural surroundings, the elf was ready to face whom-ever, or whatever, was approaching his camp.
Alana was a tall woman, just shy of six feet, and broad of shoulder though athletic in build with well-toned arms visible between her tunic and those bracers under her cloak. Her hair was pulled back away from her face and held with a single ribbon, visible as she reached a hand up to lower her hood off of her head. She was unarmed, save for her staff, and the belt knife at her side. She looks to the armed elf, his bow ready though without an arrow drawn, blue eyes taking in his measure for a moment. After a second or two of evaluation, she speaks. “The journey has been a long one and a fire would be a welcome respite. I have food to share if you have no objection to company.”
Tasaki studies the newest arrival as she appears, first through the infrared spectrum that his kinship shares the ability to use, then adjusting back to normal sight as she enters the illumination of the fire. She has the build of a warrior, though carries no sword or other obvious weapons. To the untrained eye that is, for due to the condition of her staff, the elf believe she is more than capable with it than he is with his scimitars. But, he is not one to seek out battles with possible friends, and as such slings his bow over his shoulder as he begins to make his way down from his vantage point, replying. " Nature is open to all, stranger, and I would be a fool to believe I can turn away a guest from one of her favored locations." He speaks with a revered tone towards the wild, as elves hold nature as a whole in high regard. " He ssets down his bow once he is back into the camp fully, the fire casting its light upon him. Though lean, his body is very well toned. Long goldren strands of hair run smoothly down past his shoulders, and frame a face that has the haunting beauty of elven kind. Eyes of a vibrant shade of green peer out to study the o=woman a bit more, though a warm and welcoming smile graces his thin lips as he tosses a few more pieces of wood into the fire. Having lived his entire life in the forest, and then in frostmaw for the past few years, he has gained the knowledge to utilize the minimal amount of things needed to survive. A larger fire may have attracted more company, and with that comes various gambles he cannot afford. But, with another present a larger fire is needed, to provide sufficient warmth for both of the weary travelers. A few moments pass between the two with not a word spoken, before the elf rummages through his belongings at brings forth a waterskin filled with the revitalizing water from Frostmaw's fountain. " This should help." He says, as he tosses it to the woman in a high arc. This action serves two purposes though. The first is to indeed offer the water and aid the woman from her travels, but the second it a test of her reflexes so that he can better understand his newfound guest. Ever are there those that find pleasure in killing, and over the years Tasaki has seen assassins of all kinds who kill for gold, or the simple pleasure of testing their skills upon a living target. Wood elves fetch a fair bounty from drow marauders and various others who seek to gain approval from the dark elves. Watching this event, the ranger prods at the fire, stirring the embers and allowing the flames to better consume the newest additions added to the fire pit.
Alana continued to watch the elf as he replied. She wasn’t surprised to see him, there were many elves in Frostmaw now, though she did remain well aware of the power he could likely channel through that bow of his. Being shot with an arrow was not extremely high on her list of wants, for the moment, so when that doesn’t happen and he extends welcome she gives a polite smile and moves over by the fire while he puts more wood on it. When he pulls out the waterskin and tosses it to her, she extends one hand, catching it easily enough while holding onto her staff in the other. Finding a spot by the fire, she then lays the weapon down, before uncorking the skin and taking a drink. “My thanks. I am Alana of Frostmaw though recently Alana the Wanderer.” She introduces herself. “I have met your kin there.” She reaches behind her to a pouch on the back of her belt then, pulling out several strips of jerky, before offering them to him in turn. “Mammoth meat; a bit tough but edible. I have not met many elves this far south. The problems in your former homeland persist, I assume.”
Tasaki does not miss the swiftness of her movements, nor the firm grip n which she holds the waterskin. A very capable woman indeed. But this is all besides the point, as he judges people by their actions alone, and this one has does nothing to stir his hand into action. He listens to her as he walks over to take the offered jerky, and in return offers her some as well. " Deer, tender and lean." Elves believe in an even exchange, a balance one could say, especially when guests are about. " Well met, Alana the Wanderer." He offers a slight bow, before saying. " I am Takasi Falconhand, of Sage Forest." This kind of proclamation is a steep one, as the wood elves, even though they wish to, never openly claim the forest so brazenly. But this is part of a deeper story, that will take time to tell. " But for now, I too, am a wanderer." He shares, allowing her to hint at whatever she may with that bit of information. Moving back to his bedroll, and finally sitting down, the elf begins to eat the offered jerky as he looks off down upon the forest below. How he longed to openly walk within its boarders again! He doesn't ignore the fact she has met his kind in frostmaw, nor the fact she speaks of the problems with their situation. Most of the realm has seemingly turned a blind eye to the whole event, and that fact has left a bitter taste in the ranger's mouth that will be hard pressed to wash out. But he will not allow such personal emotions to damper the welcome presence of company. He turns his gaze from the view, back to the woman as he asks. " Why do you wander, Alana? Frostmaw is a good enough place, and if you made your home there, why leave?" He was curious, given his own desire to be back in his own home once more.
Alana finds a spot to sit, leaving her cloak on against the chill, and extending her hands to warm them near the fire. She looks human, nearly entirely so, but those hands… her finger nails are long, not unusual for a female, but also have a certain sharpness to them as well as seeming thicker than normal. Almost like claws. Actually, quite a bit like claws. She accepts the offered jerky and takes a bite, chewing on it, before giving a nod. “Better than mammoth.” She continues to regard him over the fire in turn. “Two wanderers then; it’s a large world indeed. Frostmaw is a fine land, harsh and testing, but one can only stare at the ice for so long. I learned all I could there for the time being and felt it was correct to set out, see the world, learn what I could outside the walls of my previous living. I have lived with a group of monks in service to Aramoth most my life; it is a good living but I desire more experiences than that alone.” She gives him a curious look. “You are quite close to Sage given the dangers and being an elf. Do you seek to attack the drow?”
Tasaki catches a glimpse at her hands, and has knowledge of lycans and vampires as any other ranger. But he has the wisdom to know that one is not bound to the preset notions of a race's past. In Frostmaw alone he has met a drow who is far from the norm, as well as Frost Giants and dragons that helped cement that mindset into the elf long ago. He nods his head in agreement to her statement about frostmaw and the ice. It was true the land held a beauty in its own right, but his heart belongs to the forest that was his home. At the mention of attacking the drow, a fire appears within his emerald green eyes, as he replies. " Nothing would please me more than to sink many an arrow into the blackened hearts of my dark skinned cousins!" He pauses, realizing his reaction. His tone softens. " But... murder is not my way, and to strike out alone may cause trouble for my people as a whole, and my heart could not bare that toll." Again his gaze sweeps down upon the forest, as he says. " So I lurk as close as I dare, and even venture within Sage from time to time to help sate any desires I have... but..." He trails off. Every time he walked within the forest it became harder and harder to leave, and harder still to not lash out at his most hated foes. But still he clung to a hope that one day, maybe, his people would spur into action and reclaim their rightful home. But, for now, he wandered the wilderness, honing his skills and living as best he could. But, shaking these thoughts from his head he becomes curious. " A monk then?" Suddenly that staff seemed a bit more dangerous. " A rare sight these days."
Alana gradually made herself more comfortable, not completely relaxing given that she was in the company of a stranger, but resting easily enough despite the cold and the rocky terrain. The fire does wonders for her, putting some life back into limbs that were growing chilled, and lessening the need to take a more robust shape. The light from the fire helps cast illumination on the freckles that dot her face amidst otherwise pale skin; hers was not a sun-filled existence prior to leaving. Frostmaw was not a sunny land in general. “Perhaps if more of your kin had your bravery the battle to re-take the forest would already be won.” She comments simply. “It can hardly be called murder to kill those who seek to kill you; pre-emptive self-defense it the wisest kind there is. Tis a battle, and in battle, people live or die according to their skills and the will of the gods. That your people have suffered enough trials for the moment, however, I agree.” She takes another bite of the deer meat before continuing. “A monk, yes. It’s not a common choice from what I understand but one I find fulfilling. It has helped to temper if not tame the darker urges in my own heart, having that focus. We all have our demons that we face, of course. I’m merely of the opinion that how we face them is as important as the facing itself.”
Tasaki both understood the general statement of her words, as well as the deeper personal reference to her supposed heritage. Lycanthropy was something that could turn the most noble man into a murderous beast, if not for great power of one's will. Urges to hunt, to rip into flesh and kill, were hard pressed in all races, as even now the ranger himself fights those urges daily against his kin. But for those afflicted by lycanthropy, its far more primal. A look is spared her way, one of understanding. The elves view lycans with both fear, and respect. In one hand a lycan can be a murderous beast, like the great white wolf that hunts the lands. From a distance the ranger tracked that one, and watched as she killed with an animalistic glee to surprising effect. But, the elves know too that to be one with an animals spirit like that, only brings you closer to nature itself. Druids are even known to be able to shift into the forms of animals, but it is a powerful ability that only the highest of the order can obtain. But perhaps, giving his limited understanding of this woman, she has found a way to temper that beast within, by focusing her body and mind in the martial arts. This thought brings many questions, but he is not rude enough to pry so deeply into one's personal life upon a first encounter. And so, the two sit and eat, simply enjoying a warm fire and a break from the troubles of the world. Through it all though, her words linger upon his mind. " If his people had his bravery, they might be home already." Again his gaze falls out upon the forest below. If only his people were brave...
Alana crosses her legs beneath her, continuing to absorb the warmth of that fire, letting the ice leak out of her bones. The smell of the burning wood also helps to block out most of the elf’s scent in her nose; his is a pleasant one, too pleasant perhaps, and for each part of her that can admire the handsome and ethereal aspect to him there’s always that other half which wonders if he’d taste better dead or still squirming on his way down her gullet. She blocks those thoughts out with a moments concentration, re-focusing herself, while giving a casual glance overhead to make sure that one of Hollow’s moons wasn’t full. It was always worse then. This world had a lot of full moons too. She watches him get that far away look in his eyes while his mind wanders in thought. She offers no apology for her words, unknowing if they offended but considering them true. She eats in silence a moment as well until the ache in her stomach fades, and with it, the desire to supplement her meal with something fresher. “The way things are now is not the way they will always be. What has risen falls and what falls may rise again. When the time is right, or perhaps when the right leader comes, then you will be able to safely walk your homeland once more. For my part, I enjoy testing my mettle, and hear the drow are quite skilled in the arts of war. I would relish proving myself against one.”
Tasaki is stirred from his own thoughts by her words once more. And then a smile, followed by a light chuckles breaks his silence as he replies. " The drow think themselves the superior fighter against any foe, but I am sure you'd teach them different!" The smile remains as he shakes his head. " I have studied my kin as well as I have studied many foes.. and still I find only pity in my heart for them.." He cannot fully explain it, but he tries. " Their's is a world full of chaos, ruled over by a god that keeps them in a constant state of survival. They know only murder, as that is how they obtain their stations in life. To make room above you, you simply remove those there." He chuckles again, though he does not find it funny, but rather sad. " Drow know nothing of family, friends or loved ones. Only killing, by blade, arrow, spell of plot!" He looks down to his scimitars, the weapons that have taken the lives of a few drow already. " To think that we were once one people, and to think that I could become like them, if only a few things turned out differently.." The legends of the Sylvan wars are lost, misinterpreted by various accounts told by those who were never there. Each of the elven races has a different take, and each story told is different in its own way. But no matter what happened, the race tore itself apart into four factions. The wood elves, who devoted themselves to nature and living in and guarding the forest. The high elves, who devoted themselves to arcane magic and mastering its mysterious arts. The Forsaken Elves, who devote themselves to Necromancy and the Death God, Vakmatharas. And Finally the dark elves, the drow. Who ventured into the endless abyss that is the underdark, and have become twisted by the Spider Queen's various webs of deciets and lies that they have evolved into a murderous race, so far from their heritage. The hatred between the wood elves and drow go back farther than anyone livings memory. Who knows why the two hate each other so utterly deep in their being that the mere sight of the other envokes a bloodlust that is as hard to control as the lycans. Wars after wars, raids after raids with countless dead on each side. Who there is the true victor? And now, lead by the Archmage, the Lich, Tiphareth D'Artes, the dark elves have banished the wood elves from the forest after a clash of battles. But even so, years after this event, the fighting has stopped. The drow patrol the forest to keep the wood elves from returning, but there is no more fighting, so long as the wood elves stay away. Is this peace worth losing their home? Is their home worth losing this peace? These questions haunt the ranger greatly, and a troubled look falls over his face as he ponders them. Do the elders and druids who brought this peace about have it right? Is he selfish in his desires to return home? Looking down upon the forest, and then up to the night sky, light up by countless stars Takasi, even with his new company, felt very alone.
Alana lets her vision dwell in the area over the flames near him but not looking at any one thing specifically, enjoying the sight of the fire without staring, lest it disrupt her night vision entirely. “The drow penchant for arrogance is well known; it is often a failure more than a deserved trait. Were the drow as skillful as they claim then they would have conquered the Underdark long ago. We all have the choice even if it comes with unpleasant consequences; the drow who choose to follow their people do so of their own volition. Pitying them can be dangerous.” Her vision refocuses on him. “But you are not as they are. Your fate is different from theirs. Reflect on your similarities but also on what makes you different. Your talent for compassion, perhaps, in allowing a wandering stranger to share your fire. Were you drow, I would never have asked for fear of betrayal.” Which would also likely result in her growing larger and angrier but even that was no guarantee; overconfidence killed. “Often it can be hard to accept the world as it is rather than as we wish it would be. You are no longer one people and I do not believe that can be changed now. All you can do is control how you will react to those circumstances. Do not let your heart grow distracted from it’s purpose with ‘what ifs’.”
Tasaki turns to face the woman as she speaks. He was enjoying her company, and honestly her words got through to the ranger more than she could know. The past is the past, and the future is uncertain. All he could do was worry about the present. A smile graces his lips once more as he says. " And were you a drow an arrow to the chest would have been your greeting!" His mortal enemy was a clever foe, and not one often open to sharing fires with wood elves. Lauria, the Goddess of Nature that all wood elves hold dear, watches over nature and all its creatures. With Alana being a lycan, as presumed by an educated guess from his examinations of her and his knowledge of their kind, she fell under Lauria's watchful gaze, and as such the wood elves. Even though it seems Aramoth holds her sway, and has helped guide her to finding a way to control the beast within, Lauria still kept her gaze upon her. Perhaps, the elf thought, even guided her here tonight so that her wisdom may help ease a lost elf's troubled mind. And so it has, more than the monk could ever know. " I will gladly share a fire with you, any time, Alana the Wanderer." States the ranger, the smile a bit brighter now. On this cold dark night, it seems he may have found a new friend out here in the wilderness.
Alana gives a laugh. “Fortunately for me then that I am not a drow! I much prefer my chest remain arrow-free.” She answers. “You are one of the first people I have spoken with in more than passing since leaving Frostmaw and I am greatly enjoying your company. You have given me a good opinion of elves, Takasi Falconhand.” She lets her hands rest on her lap, finally warmed through. “I have not met many but if more are like you I think I shall get along quite nicely with your people. Not many would be as welcoming of a stranger.”
Tasaki nods and chuckles at her jest about her remaining arrow free, and then adds. " My people, however wary of battle, are a good and kind people." He sighs again, though this time because of the empty feleing he has from being away from his kind. He'd thought them cowards and fools for not trying to drive back the dark elves, but on this day, Alana has changed that notion. " And as wise as you are, you'd be most welcome, where ever it is that my people call home." It was as true a statement as he could make. The wood elves, even after their exile, have retained their spirit, the soul of who they are as a whole. " But for now, I too seek to head out into the world, and test myself! Perhaps.." A sudden thought occurs to him. " Perhaps we could travel together? The road could be our guide, and we could watch out for one another. My skill with a bow is only slightly greater than my skill with my scimitars. And I know the lands, and the beasts that call it home. I believe we could learn much from one another, Alana the Wanderer."
Alana smiles with the fire reflecting in those blue orbs of hers. “I am not always the easiest person to travel with. There are times when my heritage calls to me more than others and where it is harder to resist my inner self.” She raises one hand, the light glinting dully off those claw-like nails at the ends of her fingers. “As I am sure you noticed but were polite enough to not mention. The knowledge that your people would welcome me is a grateful kind; provided you are not adverse to traveling with one of my blood I would not say no to a companion on the road. We will test ourselves against our enemies and safeguard one another from the same. I believe I could learn much from you as well; perhaps even how to fire a bow as you are able to. Where does the road lead you next?”
Tasaki looks to the woman with a serious gleam in those brilliantly green shaded eyes of his. " I do not fear the beast that lurks within, and if need be I will try my hardest to ensure you never succumb to it." With this vow, he continues. " I know the dangers, Alana the Wanderer, but now you are Alana my friend. And I would rather it be me there, beside you, if ever that time comes." He has been around some of the worlds most dangerous beasts, so he felt confident that he could at least ensure if she ever does lose control, that she harm no one else in that time. Lycans were dangerous, but to an elf, there were not just the blood thirsty animals legend made them out to be. As for her last question, he ponders a moment. " I truly do not know, I believe the road will guide us where we are needed!" As it has done, already, with the meeting of these two companions.
Alana nods her head in agreement. Having told him of the dangers, and hearing him accept them, she feels released of guilt should something happen. Normally she was in great control of herself, even now she was at a comfortable state, though it could also be unpredictable in the extreme. “Then we will see where it leads.” She confirms. “I will enjoy traveling with you; the road is long and it can be a lonely one, company is never in poor recommendation. Being as we will be traveling together then I will break my camp here tonight.” Her lips quirk into a teasing expression. “You do not snore, I hope.”
Tasaki returns her teasing expression with a smirk as he states. " Elves do not snore, nor do we really sleep.." He ponders how to explain it. " I guess with your chosen path, you'd call it meditation." With that said, he rises to collect a bit more firewood, thicker this time, so that they will burn throughout the night. Placing some of these in the best locations to achieve this goal, he states. " I will be fully rested by morning, if not sooner, so I will take first watch this night so you may rest." Smiling again, he nods to the monk. " And I've some thicker blankets, if need be. But, given we've both stayed in Frostmaw, I think we find this chill only a slight inconvienence!" And with that, the elf collect his bow once more, and sets off to find a good spot so he may take watch over his new friend as she sleeps. Morning was not too far away by now, and who knew what exciting adventures the two will find once their travels begin!
Alana quirks her head, having not known that, but taking note of it for later. “In that case, I will accept.” She states, trusting that if he meant her harm, he would have ambushed her directly on approach instead of having a conversation and offering to become travel companions. “Frostmaw has acclimated me well, I believe my cloak will suffice, but I’ll remember those blankets if needed.” She is grateful for the offer, preferring not to have to leave her human form to avoid freezing to death. “I will see you in a few hours for my turn of the watch then.” Alana wrapped her cloak around herself then, making herself comfortable near the fire. Her staff next to her in case she has to grab it quickly from waking. A new travel companion… an unexpected but positive development if she ever saw one. Her eyes closed and it wouldn’t be long before that keen elven hearing of his picked up the steady, rhythmic breathing of the sleeping woman.