Contemplation

Garen was making his nightly roundswhen the sounds of footfalls and the occasional broken twig caught his attention.  The duskling went to investigate the noise and saw a familiar merchant walking along the trail.  He lifted his helmet so that the mask was pulled above his face and revealed his identity as a loyal customer.  Steping into the moonlight he greeted the dwarf, "Good evening Esgir.  What brings you to this neck of the woods at this late hour?"

The dwarf walked alone, and although he could see well enough in the darkened forest at the foot of the mountains he carried a torch.

"Ah, Garen Veniir, aye was actually lookin' te discuss some business with you. Aye trust your recent purchase has met your needs?"

"Indeed.  Being from the deserts of Sirison, rarely am I without a way to cary my own water.  This waterskin shall serve me well on future adventures.  What is it you need to discuss?  I spent most of what I made most recently on the bottle and don't have much coin to speak of at the present", Garen said to the dwarf.  "Come, let us walk and enjoy the night air"

Extinguishing the torch as he moved to accompany the uordeq; knowing both he and garen were welll acquainted with seeing in dark places.

"In truth aye've come t' discuss things with more than jest you Garen. Aye came out here in th' hopes that aye'd catch the attention of at least one who knows me, an you were the one who found me; it could 'ave been that young Shrayvar, or Goose - but it was you."

Halting a moment and looking to the uordeq sternly.

"I wish t' speak with your clan."

Ayrin lurked in the woods, surrounded by a few deer whom he considered family, a short distance from the duo. He watched the glowing flicker of the torch, his curiosity growing when the light is suddenly put out. Normally he had trouble seeing so late at night, but his newfound uordeq abilites helped greatly with that [adapt darknessd]. He stood up and motioned for his quadrupedal friends to leave. The faint rustling of foliage from the leaping deer signalled Ayrin's approach. "Hello there Garen, and Esgir, I believe? I remember purchasing a few things from you a while back." the duskling greeted them. "What business has you two out here, in the black of night?" Ayrin inquired, noticing the serious look upon Esgir's face.

Esgir turned towards the sounds of rustling, but relaxed somewhat when Ayrin stepped forth.

"Aye, aye hope tha' my supplies have served ye well. Events o' late, an idle talk amongst the good people o' Jastrey 'ave giv'n me much to think about o' late. Aye've come seeking an audience with your clan."

Garen turned to his fellow duskling, "Evening brother. Would you be so kind and send one of your cervine [I hope I got that right] brethren with a message to Goose to meet us here? Include in the message to bring Kresh and the others along as well" Turning back to Esgir he continued, "This part of the mountain is secluded enough this time of night. We should have privacy"

Nodding.

"Very good then, thank ye f'r your assistance Garen, Ayrin."

"Ahh, I see!" Ayrin nodded at Esgir's reply. "Will do, Garen. I will return momentarily," he replied as he returned to his previous hiding spot. The duskling summoned the deer back to the clearing and spoke to the swiftest deer of the small herd, asking them return to the Bear camp and deliver a message. Ayrin emerged from the cover of the trees and waited on the path with the pair. "I have sent them off to the camp. They are quite fast so word should reach Goose and the others soon."

Some time passes before a black panther with a green mane steps from from the tree line. It walks toward the small group as it begins changing into a humanoid form. Goose stops next to the three and extends a hand to Esgir.

"Esgir, it has been some time since we last spoke. I hope all is well." He then turns to his Brothers. "Brothers. More of the family should be here in a few moments."

Siska moved swiftly from tree branch to tree branch -tread- following her panther brethern. Coming upon the small group she leaped to the final branch and crouched to hear what was being said. Her golden/red eyes glowed in the darkness of the night.

In the darkness of the night a faint glow comes from the distance. As moments pass the glow grows greater eventually becoming the illuminated Faro'oq. Once in view he waves. "Hello."

Smiling upon seeing the familiar green maned panther, taking Goose ' s hand in greeting as he assumed his humanoid form.

"Aye, has been some time Goose. Aye am well, though uncertain if all is well."

Gazing up to see the eyes of the Shriss as she crouched in the trees nearby. Looking to the odd glow as it approached, a bit surprised to see the paladin appear.

"Faro'oq? Are ye a part of the clan as well?"

[Forgive me if it is common knowledge, but I don't believe Esgir knew of Faro'oq joining.]

"Aye Esgir I thought that I would give family another shot." (its just not broadcasted) 

"Well that seems to be the majority of us, save Kresh.  He'll come by soon enough.  What is it you wished to discuss?", Garen said after waving a quick greeting to the rest of his family.

"Events of late and the perception of the good people of Jastrey have given me much to think about of late. There are those who may mistake th' actions of some as the actions of all, or the actions of one group to be the actions of another. Aye have come because Aye am concerned that the Stormbringers may be viewed as t' blame f'r actions that Aye can vow to having no foreknowledge of."

Kade slipped out of the treeline, and stood on the fringe of the group. "I tried to wake the bear, but he's sound asleep."

The Stormbringers?" Shrayvar asked as he walked into view. "Was it they that attacked us? I didn't really catch the whose who when everything went down. He rubbed the side of his head. "It happened... very quickly."

Looking to the fae and young Shrayvar.

"T' my knowledge, no; the Stormbringers didn'ae attack ye. Aye know there are persons who's allegiances lay with multiple groups, an' Aye didn'ae want their actions to be perceived as th' actions of another group. Aye've heard from many of the good people of Jastrey, and some have thought that the Stormbringers were responsible - the Stormbringers are my brothers, an' we protect one another, an' Aye dunn'ae want their name looked down upon."

A faint blue light bobs around the woods surrounding the gathered folk. It grows in largerer as they converse, until eventually Rune steps from the treeline with pouches full of herbs slung around each shoulder. Rune dims it's namestake markings as it approaches. "Esgir, this one is suprised to see you out this late, and with a company of Bloodbears." The construct nods at it's apprentice and Goose.

"The distinction was confusing at first some mests ago, but the Korgons and Stormbringers are separate entities, though one or two of the Stormbringers are part of the Korgons," Goose spoke to his family.  "Part of the confusion was due to the Stormbringers being the main group who came to our camp that night, though others accompanied them.  Sense then, the Stormbringers have not acted against us.  Our struggle has been with the Korgons."
 
He turned to Esgir.  "I was not aware that there was confusion among others as to who was partaking in what.  I am glad that you came to ensure clarity."

Looking to the construct as he was adressed.

"Rune, aye cann'ae say Aye'm surprised t' see you out so late. Aye imagine this is how ye keep the supplies at the tower so well stocked."

Turning back to Goose.

"Aye am heartened to hear ye say that Goose. As Aye said, my concern was over the perceptions of some peoples Aye have spoken with, and Aye felt taht coming t' speak with yor clan was the most direct method to allay any confusion."

Kade crept near Shrayvar and gently nudged the feral. She whispered, "Shrayvar, who are we talking to?"

"This one finds night to be the best time to harvest. The plants enter a dormant state, so the cutting damages them less. Is this meeting relevant to the conflict that occured the other day?" emits from the construct, trying to get up to speed

"This meeting is relevant t' many of the conflicts of late, Rune."

"The Stormbringer's symbol was written in the vandalism of my chief's armor. If it was not the Stormbringers then I would wonder as to why someone would want to fram them for the action." Siska hissed from the trees.
 
(Not sure if this means anything but on one of the tags tied to Paddy's chest piece it did say Stormbringers...)

"Esgir and Rune," Shrayvar whispered back to Kade. "Esgir, the dwarf, is one of the best merchants in Jastrey, and also a StormBringer, apparently. Rune is one of the Docents of the Tower and is known for being a skilled mediator."
 
He stepped foward to address the others. "I must admit, there is still much I don't understand. The two dwarfs that attacked me each seemed to have different motivations. One of them seemed to think he was preventing some sort of takeover by stealing my toxins, and was about to give me my other things back when the other one straight up murdered me. If there was a collective will behind the attack, I didn't see it."

Looking up to the tree where Siska remained.

"So Aye have heard. Aye can only say that Aye had no foreknowledge of the action. If someone has taken it upon themselves to misrepresent the Stormbringers, they had best be willing to stand against us. Rune, you were present more than Aye of late - what do you know of this?"

Looking to Shrayvar as he spoke, listening intently.

"Tell me young Shrayvar, what you can recall of those events."

Shrayvar took a deep breath. "Right then, here's what I can remember. I had just walked out of the Tavern and saw the Blood Bears outside, so I went over to them. That's when the first dwarf attacked me. I do not know his name, but I've seen him around Jastrey. He knocked me out in one blow, but someone revived me. I tried to slip away, but the dwarf who attacked me approuched me saying that he only wanted my toxins to prevent a 'takeover'. Before I could get my stuff back, the other dwarf attacked." Shrayvar scowled. "His name I know. Grimm. The same dwarf who killed Garen once." Grimm must have killed me too, because I woke up in this shadowly place full of people who wouldn't stop complaining. And I... I guess they were all so annoying that I came back by sheer force of will? I'm not sure about that part to be honest. But yeah, that's the gist of it."

Esgir listens to the young mau intently, but remains silent. While it is hard to get a real read of a dwarf when he presents a stone face, Esgir does shift ever so slightly upon hearing of a 'takeover' and of Grimm. Nodding slightly as Shrayvar finished.

"Thank ye for telling me young Shrayvar."

Ling came trudging up the path wearing his armor clinking through the night, bis blade sheathed. Looking around and seeing the gathering was just chatting he sighed, rolled his eyes and went over and sat down. "Ya all knwo, with the rate ye right bastards came up this way one'd think there was trouble." He started drinking from his waterskin. "I came up here to help, and nothing's happening... damn shame that is right there." He got up and started headed back to town.

Faro'oq stepped forward. "It is not our place to label the intent of a group. Esgir I can only confirm truth. The armor was vandalized with Stormbringer markings. It is not our duty to say that it was the will of your clan or not. That is your job. I hold nothing against you I do not expect you to judge me by my family but my actions. In return I just you on yours. You are just and true and for that I think none the less of you." Faro'oq signed and his feathers rustled. "We all live in this town. We all defend one another. All I ask for is piece of mind."

Nodding.

"Aye am more inclined than most to judge those by their actions, Faro'oq. I do not look upon an Uordeq and hate them just for what they are - though there are many who do. This Jastrey is a town of many good peoples, gathered together for whatever reason: fate, immortals, chance - this Jastrey seems to attract many people. I would stand by you in it's defense, and theirs."

Seren, the residential Greenwarden, can be seen darting through the trees. He disappears for a brief moment *woodmeld/teleport* and reappears beside of Esgir, leaning in his shoulder. Seren smiles, then looks to the entire group.
 
"Good evening to all of you!"

Looking to the rather energetic greenwarden, shifting my weight a bit as he leaned on my shoulder.

"Good evening Seren."

"Pardon my interruption. I'm looking for a few things, then I got distracted by the decent sized crowd here!"
 
He looks at the rest of them and makes contact with Goose.
 
"Goose. I would like to speak with you at some point."

"Rune," Goose turns to the construct, "I did not expect to see you in these parts so late, but it is good to see you none the less."  He then turns to Seren.  "Of course, once Esgir has discussed all he has on his mind I would enjoy your company once again."

[Didn't want to reply too much in case other people wanted to speak, but it's been about a day so I'll posta gain :P]

"Aye b'lieve Aye've said most o' what I had t' say. An Aye'm glad t' hear tha' ye can see what Aye was tryin' t' say. Unless ye wanted t' discuss anythin' further, Aye'll head back t' the tower f'r now."

[looks that way]

Goose nods. "It is always a pleasure speaking with you, Esgir. If you are ever in the area again, let me know and you will have company."

He then turns to Seren. "Now, Seren, what is on your mind?"

Ayrin decided to head elsewhere once Esgir and the Bears were done discussing what they needed to. He had nothing to add to the conversation that wasn't already said, and thus wandered back into the woods and disappeared [teleport].