RP:So, You Want to be a Ranger
Summary: Magikrios meets Lhyrin in Southern Sage for a Meet-n-Greet.
Sage's Archery Range
There is much history associated with this clearing within the forest. It began as an archery range for the elves that inhabit the forest, but during the insurgence of the drow in the forest the space became unsafe for use. During the second war, the goblin army, allied to the drow, took up camp here. Their stay was brief, as the elves proved victorious over the army and reclaimed their home. Today, lush grass covers the forest floor. Dazzling sunlight shines down onto the glade. Several humanoid looking structures stand sentry, covered in moss and vines. They are archery dummies that were kept as a reminder of the past. New targets have been built in the clearing opposite of the nature-reclaimed dummies, encouraging the archers of Kelay-Sage to once more use this place to hone their archery skills. To the west is the silhouette of a fort. A shrine to nature lies to your east and what appears to be a peaceful spring to the south.
During the day time, a group of elven children practicing with their slings is here.
An armored archery dummy, fondly named Wilson the Second, is here.
Lhyrin had initially left word at the Kelay Tavern for a representative of the Ranger’s Guild to get a hold of them. After some communicating back and forth with Magikrios, a date and time had been set, as well as a location, with the caveat that Lhyrin would bring fresh kills to the meeting spot, so that the other elf could see just what it was that Lhyrin had been hunting of late. Some of Lhyrin’s hunts would be left behind, of course. It wouldn’t do to bring the people they’d murdered and show them off to the Lyastri.
So, at the appointed time, Lhyrin would find themself in Sage, a hired hand from Vhys (another forsaken elf, though this one was neither a vampire nor looked like a ranger, and had decidedly somewhat more muscle than their temporary employer) brought along to haul and hang the vampire’s kills at the archery range. A red dragon, just an adolescent and one of the more beastly types was hung from one of the higher branches, strong mithril rope holding the drake’s back legs in a similar fashion to when a culinarian would tie poultry legs together. Beside it, on a lower branch, was a feral vampire from Vailkrin. The creature had been recently turned, only within the last few months, but looked more ghoul than that of its blood-drinking undead kin. Beside that hung something simple, a buck from Larket’s forest, the rack of antlers that adorned its head not quite enough to be hung above a mantle, but still one to boast about.
Adorned in a long black hooded leather tunic and equally black gloves, pants, and boots, all with green accents, the dark ranger stood by their kills awaiting the one known as Magikrios Lyastri D’Chath, attempting to cure a vague bit of boredom by firing off a few arrows at a nearby target, with the ever-familiar twang of Lhyrin’s cobra-shaped yew longbow heard now and then after they took aim.
Magikrios wasn't too far behind when Lhyrin started loosing some arrows into the range. Normally, the Lyastri would bring his own bow to the range to make use of the new targets and to offer any advice to anyone taking even the slightest interest in archery, but he didn't want to turn the meeting into a competition. Magik was in his usual get-up for when he's in the Sage. He had simple leather pants held up by a black belt with two daggers hanging from each hip and a..Sound of Sirens hoodie on. Look, he had to support his sister-n-law's band, alright?..Even if this was a potential Guild recruitment. As Magikrios arrived at the archery range, he was careful to remain quiet as Lhyrin had the bow in their hand. The elf made his way to the display tree and carefully examined each kill carefully. After a few -twangs- from the potential guildmate, Magik finally speaks as he turns away from the tree and towards Lhyrin, "Lhyrin." Magik didn't quite know what to do with his hands so they just went in the super convenient pouch on the hoodie's front.
Lhyrin heard and smelled the other elf before they saw him, but allowed the other to speak first. They lowered their bow, returning it to its fixed place on their back, the arrow put back into its quiver. “Ah, the Lord of Sage Forest, I presume,” they said at last in their strangely monotone way, with just a hint of Vhysian lilt, offering the other dark-haired elf a rather noble-looking bow as they bent at the waist briefly. “I do hope these will suffice as proof of my hunts and ability. Though, I would advise that if you inspect them more closely, pray stay clear of the wounds I inflicted upon them, as there may still be traces of the poison I use on my weapons. I can produce other kills, if more is required of me, but I didn’t want to lean into excessiveness.” The vampire clasped their hands behind them at the small of their back, allowing their work to speak for them, and to let Magikrios speak further if he wished.
Magikrios removes a hand from his hoodie pocket and slightly waves off Lhyrin with a quiet chuckle as he bows, "We don't do that here." In the far distance a panther makes itself known. Kind of weird, to be honest. They are usually up in the Xalious Pass. "But yes, you presume correctly." The Guardian of Sage takes a quick look at Lhyrin's bow as it's stashed onto their back then turns back to Lhyrin's haul as Lhyrin warns of the poison. What to question first? Magikrios takes a step closer to the red dragon hung higher than the rest, "What are you going to do with your haul here?" Magik turns back towards Lhyrin, hands back in his hoodie pocket. His tone was more curious than anything, but there will be a little judgement on the answer Lhyrin provides.
Lhyrin raised their eyebrows at Magik’s insistence that there was no need to bow, but the expression was soon replaced by one with a brief smirk. “If you insist. Apologies. It’s a bit of a habit at this point.” A 100 year old habit. As the other dark-haired elf shifted his attention back to Lhyrin’s kills, they merely shrugged. “If I can make use of them as food, then I do. Not the dragon though, of course, heh. Otherwise, most are either used in my own leatherworking or sold to other crafters in Vhys depending on the need. In other cases, like the feral vampires I’ve been contracted with hunting Lord Azakhaer, they are either sent to the vampire house in Vailkrin that’s requested them, or their organs are offered up to Vakmatharas as tribute. There’s no hope for these ones, unfortunately, so sending them to the God of Death is a blessing.” They, of course, make no mention of their -other- tributes to Vakmatharas. The ones that actually still have all their wits about them. With their hands still clasped behind their back casually, the elf eyed their own work like an artist regarding their own art with vague criticism.
Magikrios was more than pleased to hear that the animals will not be going to waste. If there's one thing that really ticks of the Guardian of Sage, it's trophy hunters. However, Magik would only let his satisfaction be known by a simple nod. He does let a small smirk creep across his face as Lhyrin comments on how he won't be eating the dragon. As Lhyrin turns his focus to his own kills, Magik gives them a side-eye. "Why the poison?" This was a genuine question for the seasoned ranger. Sedatives, sure. Sometimes the mission calls for a relocation and not a kill. It could be just a beast wandering to a village or town that's not very accepting of their wild neighbors. Ah, the curiousity has hit once again. However, instead of a 'normal' kill, Magik decides to turn towards the feral vampire. Memories from his former vampiric life flash in Magik's head as he gives the unlucky vampire a thorough lookover while also still very much interested in the answer Lhyrin will provide.
Lhyrin was indeed a trophy hunter of sorts, but it wouldn’t do to let that little secret out. And besides, they weren’t just any old trophy hunter. They would never hunt something to extinction just to fill a house full of stuffed carcasses. No, they only kept the things that really intrigued them. Magikrios continued to question their methods respectfully and Lhyrin would offer a shrug in response, their hands still clasped behind their back. “A holdover from my days amongst the living. I suppose it’s not particularly needed anymore, but it’s a hard habit to break after using it for well over a century. It also allows me to hunt bigger and better things, if I should feel inclined, without using up much energy, on the off chance that the hunt itself should go poorly.” They turned from their work, towards the other dark-haired elf, their gaunt features giving off all the right unnerving, ghastly angles in the sporadic lighting of the forest they both found themselves in. “To expand on that further, the dark rangers of Vhys are taught to delve into the darker sides of nature. The poisons we utilize start off as a necessary crutch for those first starting their path in the forest’s shade, and ultimately become an extension of themselves, much like a bow and arrows.”
Magikrios simply hmms at Lhyrin's replies. His mind is already starting to turn. Lhyrin did make a great point about the poison being a crutch. Magik would be too embarassed to admit that he'd never thought of using such a thing during a hunt. He probably could have used some poison tips on a previous hunt or two. The thought of the poisons did bring his wife to mind though. "I can't knock something that I've never tried, to be honest with you, however I'm sure my wife would be thrilled to have a conversation about such." Should all things go according to plan, of course. Magikrios glances down range while continuing the conversation and also making mental notes on what needs to be done around the area. A couple trees need to be trimmed along the sides of the range, a few dummys need some new stuffing, and a few targets need to be made. Magikrios will probably start working on those projects soon after this conversation. Magik finally looks back at Lhyrin to give him one more look over. He had another question or two to knock off of the list, "What made you want to seek out the Guild and what's another strong skill you have that will help benefit the Guild?" Those are some fair questions, right?
Lhyrin was patiently quiet as Magikrios allowed his thoughts to linger over the Vhysian’s answers, as well as the other tasks the Lord of Sage Forest needed to tend to soon, only to speak again after the mention of Magik’s wife. “Ah, another poison-user. I would certainly like to meet her, yes. I’ve met one other that holds an affinity for it, but I highly doubt Quintessa Blackwell is who you’re speaking of.” The pale elf smirked somewhat, doing their best to show a more… personable side. They had a totally normal sense of humor and could get along with anyone! Yes. Definitely. Magikrios would continue and more would be said when he was finished. “Mainly, it seemed like the type of guild where I could get work here and there if I needed it, or could ask another for help in a hunt, while also maintaining my mostly solitary hunter status,” Lhyrin said, shrugging somewhat. “And I also dabble in leatherworking, fletching, and woodworking, though the latter is mainly for crafting bows and arrows. All of them are skills taught by the dark rangers in Vhys.”
Magikrios quietly chuckled and shook his head at the mention of Quintessa. Nope that wasn't his wife. Future daughter-in-law, perhaps. His wife's name will remain a mystery for now. Afterall, Lhyrin is still technically a stranger. Heh. Stranger ranger. After listening to the dark ranger's final response, Magik nods his head in acceptance, "Perfect. I couldn't turn away a self-maintained ranger from the guild. I mean, if one isn't reliant on themselves in this type of lifestyle, are they even a ranger?" There was another smirk from the Lyastri. "We'd be honored to have you, Lhyrin." Handshake? Are we doing handshakes or..? Screw it. Magikrios offers his hand towards Lhyrin to seal the deal. Should they accept, it would be a firm business-like handshake. If not, no offense taken. Regardless, Magik will continue on, "Be on the lookout for a job or two in the near future. A few things have been catching my ear as of late. Some routine work and maybe a relocation. We'll see how these situations unfold." Magik takes a quick moment to look down the archery range one more time. As he does, one of the dummies topples over. The elf looks back to Lhyrin and sighs, "Now if you'll excuse me, someone needs some more stuffing and motivation to remain upright so the next batch of archery enthusiasts can continue honing in on their skills." With that, Magikrios bows his head slightly and heads out towards the dummy in the range.