At the back of the Shady Corner Inn, near an empty fireplace sits the dark elf, wearing a white tunic, almost a complete reciprocal of his usual attire. He has a table placed horizontal to him covered with a grey sheet with ornate silver designs of vines and leaves embroidered on the edges. He has several empty mugs set along the table. In the middle is a pot with soil in it, flanked by a pitcher of water and a kettle of boiling tea, some of which has been poured in the mug he is drinking from.
The dark elf sits and waits to see if anyone approaches who seems like they would be interested in joining the group he had suggested a few mestrun ago.
Pulling free the proffered seat, the Ixifar settles down, reacing across the table to pull the tea pot toward her. As she poured the tea, she nods. "I find that life in Jastrey gets easier with each passing day." She smiles as she sets the tea kettle down. "I hope life is treating you well, my friend." She gently takes a sip of the tea, nodding her appreciation. "Fine tea, this," she indicates her cup as she takes another. "Elven?"
The dark elf nods, "Jes, it is." Then he responds some more, "Eet is... complicated... I am torn wit' da duty of my mantle. Expectation and the relentless persecution of an ideal of what I am supposed to stand for is drivin' harsh wedge, 'indering my ability to 'elp da people of dis town in one way. So, I am 'oping to 'ave a positive contribution in anuddah manner before what I fear is too late." The dark elf takes a sip.
"T'would be easier to do if my carrier raven could geet a 'old of Seren quicker," he adds.
Althena settles back in her chair, cupping her tea as Corellus explained his current difficulties. Taking a breath, she pauses, trying to gather her thoughts. After a moment, she says, "I have learned that the folks of Jastrey do welcome and accept aid." She gives a slight shrug. "I have met very little resistance to my own presence. But then, I do not have such an imposing title as 'paladin'. A simple healer denotes that I shall not judge them," she raises a hand to stall any argument on this. "Remember, my friend. 'Paladin' carries it's own burden within just the title itself."
She pauses again, taking another sip of the still-hot tea. "It is, after all, your decision to make, my friend. I shall support whatever decision you find you must make. However, if you ask my opinion," she sits forward in her seat, placing her cup upon the rough wood of the table's surface. "I find that caving to public opinion - whether real or perceived - seldom leads one to their heart's desire." A soft smile crosses her lips as she speaks these words, only to quickly vanish.
Taking a moment to meet the elf's eyes, she picks her cup back up and settles comfortably once more in her chair. "I am certain that your wise friend, Seren, can guide you better than I. However, I shall always be available should you need to bend an ear." She resumes sipping at her tea.
The dark elf sits bereft, soaking in the words from his ixifar friend. Then he starts to chuckle from her last words, "Well, I must say," he tugs at the tip of one of his ears, "dat I 'ave plenty of ear to go 'round, no?" He continues to chuckle to himself until it starts to subside. "Your words are plenty 'elp. And I must say jou are right. 'Aving a title makes tings more frustratin'. It gives the guise of false importance dat I no really care for. Originally..."
He stops to pour himself some more tea, pausing to ruminate over what he's about to say. "I did not take da trials wit da best of intention. In fact, I was somewhat of a deviant, aftuh da lifestyle I was somewhat force into, and then became accustomed. I did not expect dem to trust me, still don't. But dey did. And I would feel sour to abandon dat trust." He takes a sip from his cup. "I would jus' as soon quit, but someting inside me won't allow me to. Da t'ing dat bothuhs me da most is dat I feel like my unwillingness to act like 'traditional' paladin is what is causing uddahs to continue to try lead me, to lead us astray." He grits his teeth with disdain, "But I do not want to know what awakens if I allow myself to go dere..."
He takes another sip. "And dats why I want to start dis group, to give uddahs. And myself. 'Ope."
'Ahh, hope.' Marloff interjects from behind Althena's chair.
Drawing on Coreluss' last words, Marloff continues.
'It is with hope that a dwarf moves the mountains. Hope brings the warrior to battle a stronger foe. Hope is the one omnipresent morsel in a mother's pantry.'
He pulls a chair to sit and extends an arm to place a stack of silver, which slowly topples and spreads slightly, on the table.
'And perhaps greatest of all, hope is what keeps them coming back to my games.'
The dark elf can't help but laugh at the mage's words of choice upon his entry, as he was not expecting such profound words to descend into something about his business. Well played, he thinks to himself, very well played. "Marloff, come 'ave a sit. Jou may not be sylvan but jou are a very welcome presence, my friend."
Cedar entered the taver, the faun sniffing faintly at the air, absently adjusting the straps across his chest that bore a mutlitude of pouches across his front and his shield across his back.
"It's here somewhere...I'd recognize..." Cedar's eyes slowly and methodically searched the room until he spotted the table that was now occupied by Corellus, Althena, and Marloff. Cedar eyed the teapot, gave another sniff, and his ears immediately gave an excited perk as his expression brightened.
"Aha! There it is."
The faun quickly strode over to the table, his hooves clopping noisily on the tavern's wooden floors as various bottles and trinkets tinkled musically in the pouches swaying from his baldric. Cedar examined the ornate cloth covering the table and the pot of soil with quizzical interest, standing a few paces off from the table. He eyed the teapot thirstily but he knew better than to help himself without invitation.
"Greetings friends! I was wondering if I could join you, maybe partake in some of your tea? I've brought fresh cider from the orchard and a few other edibles I found this morning to share in exchange."
The dark elf grins at the presence of the faun, "Jou are most welcome to join us. 'Ave a sit anywhere! And I very much appreciate jou bringin da cider, I'd love to try some for myself." He gestures toward the table and then puts a finger to his face to tap his chin with the side with an inquisitive look on his face.
"I do not believe I 'ave met jou jus yet? My name is Corellus Willowreat' (Willowreath)."
Cedar beamed a smile before removing a wineskin at his side and setting it on the table in front of the dark elf who had just introduced himself as Corellus Willowreath. Cedar poured himself a cup of the tea, sitting down and taking a sip. He paused for a moment before digging around in the bags and pouches he brougth with him.
"Hmm...needs a little something. One of these pouches" he said, mumbling under his breath. "Divining runes...toad bones...crystalized amber...no, no no. Ah! Here it is! Juniper berries."
Cedar crushed a few berries from one of his pouches between his fingers before dropping them into his cup and taking an appreciative sip. He removed one of the bags from his baldric, setting it on the table, some berries and mushrooms spilling out onto the table.
"I'm William Cedarbough, but everyone just calls me Cedar. A pleasure to meet you Corellus." Cedar took another sip of tea, giving a puzzled glance to the pot of soil again.
"Planning to grow something?" Cedar said, inclining his head towards the pot.
The dark elf responds, "Well, I was plannin on a metaphor of some sort for when more people gathuh, but I am not sure as to what to say for it." He tilts his head to the side to ponder, "I was t'inkin somet'ing along da lines of, 'we all sow seeds t'roughout our lives, but it ees only da seeds we nurture dat grow da best. And we must also ensure dat da soil we choose to plant those seeds in is good. I want to 'elp create dis community so that da seeds dat we sow to change da world around us 'ave good ground to take root in."
Cedar thought on the words that Corellus said, nodding his head, his brows furrowing. After a moment, Cedar reached into a pouch and placed two objects on the table in front of him: an acorn and a bur.
"An interesting idea, but I feel that the metaphor is...half-formed? In my experience, the seeds that we plant to do good require the most nurturing, the best soil, continued tending" Cedar picked up the acorn and placed it closer to the center of the table.
"Other seeds though, seeds that we sow unintentionally, seeds that spread pain, discord, that bar the paths of others...those we must nurture in a different way." Cedar then picked up the bur and placed it beside the acorn. "These seeds, if left unattended, will take root and spread of their own accord. They must be prunned, kept in check, taken up by the root if possible. Better yet, never sown at all."
Cedar regarded the dark elf for some time, staring off into space for a bit before taking another sip of tea. "I'd like to hear more about these seeds you wish to sow."
The Ixifar nods and smiles at the faun, smiling into her cup. "I like your thought process," she addresses the elf and faun equally. "Another part of the not-quite-formed thought is that there can also be those far more common seeds, spread to the wind, sown from small acts of charity, grace and love, that can spread and grow even beyond it's borders." She lifts her eyes from her cup momentarily with a shrug. "That has always been my experience with horiculture any way."
The dark elf cannot contain how pleased he is with this conversation is going. He leans in towards the table with anticipation of each sentence. "I will admit, my philosophy felt incomplete. I 'ave never been da type to sow seeds. One can no properly grow plants while livin' indentured servitude aboard a ship. But eet felt like it would be perfect segue for a sylvan centric community."
He slowly puts his elbows on the table and gestures with his hands parallel to one another as if choosing his words to make a point, "Now, just because the ideal behind it is a community for elves, faun and dryad alike, does no mean I do not welcome uthas. Da ferals: grarl, mau, ulfs and shriss; da fae and da elemental sprites; even da ixifar. We all share many t'ings in common. We revere nature. We wander. We 'unt. We roam da frontiers. We are free spirits by nature. And I love dat, but some of us are weary. We tire of da travel, and need place to call 'ome. Jastrey is a place to call 'ome. But it ees also ecclectic, filled wit those dat are 'arder for us to undahstand."
He rises to his feet and begins to pace. "We 'ave people 'ere who don' 'ave anyone to turn to. Da smallfolk are well organized but structured beyond our comfort zones. Da uordeq, while not always bad, tend to come wit dere own sort of drama from social stigma dat tends to swallow and not let go if dey don't go against da grain. Da angori, share a similar ideal in t'eory but are too violent minded to understand much outside of might makin' right. Not'ing against any of dem, but those like us would find those communities intimidating to try to be a part of. So Seren and I spoke to one anuddah and came up wit' dis idea." The dark elf sits back down, "Sorry, I got carried away."
Althena chuckled quietly at the elf's inclusion of 'even Ixifar', waving a hand in his direction. "You are obviously passionate about this idea of yours," she stated quietly, settling her cooling tea upon the table before reaching once more for the tea kettle to refill her drink. "A means to encourage those to participate in the place they live?" She smiles, setting the pot down before picking up her cup once more. Settling once more in her chair, she reaches over to pat Marloff gently upon one arm with her free hand. "it is too bad there is not a way to bring all the diverse groups together. But, as you so sagely pointed out, there are such disparity amongst just racial personalities, that may be difficult."
'No apologies are needed. You simply are filled a passion for this idea, this group and the community as a whole.' Marloff pours himself a tea and looks over the eatables as he speaks. 'I find it comforting that you do not limit your resources to just the Sylvan. I thank you for your welcoming gestures.'
Cedar nodded and smiled, increasingly enthusiastic at Corellus's comments.
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I have been searching for a place to call home and a group of those whose thoughts are like mine. Why grow the trees, harvest the fruit, and make the cider only to drink it by myself? I would very much enjoy a chance to join you in this venture."
Cedar's expression sobered then, his brows once again knotting in thought, before he readdressed those sitting at the table.
"Although I suppose it still all comes down to one thing: how? Where do we start to help plant the seeds of this new grove of Jastrey?"
Weylyn made his way into the tavern and looked around. He hated being late but sometimes one could not just avoid their obligations, as much as he prefered not to have them. After a second of letting his eyes adjust and his ears flick and swivel as they took in the sounds of the tavern he spotted the group and made his way over.
"Ah, sorry I'm so late. I was detained by some business at the tower." He appologised, before moving over to a free seat beside his friend Cedar. He did however refrain from sitting until he asked "Is it alright if I join you?"
The dark elf answers Cedar, "A t'ousand mile journey start wit' da fuhst step. And gathurin' interested folk is dat fuhst step." He stops speaking as a familiar ulf enters the room.
"Of course jou are free to join us, I don't believe I've gotten jour name yet, though I recall we both went to aid dat apprentice, Alistar, a couple mestrun ago. My name ees Corellus. What do I call jou?"
Frowning at the dregs left at the bottom of her tea cup, Althena sets it down, moving her hand from Marloff's elbow as she settled her hands upon the table. "I think we should first start with clarification," she nods toward Weylyn. "For those who missed the start of our conversation." She then turns to Corellus. "What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish? It is simply introducing a sense of culture - arts and literature? Or more a sense of community - such as charity?"
"A leetle of bot'. More along da metaphor of seeds, suppose each of us are vines. Each of us need somet'ing for support in order to grow properly. Some of us may be good at what it is we do, but dere is more to learn. If we are able to lean on one anuddah, wit' symbiosis, I believe dere is much good we can do, out dere..." he says, pointing out the window, "And een 'ere," he says tapping his chest. "If we continue to wander around, we will 'ave no network of uddah folks to boost our abilities to learn and flourish. I even t'ink dat cooperation wit' uddah guilds would 'elp too. For dose who aspire to learn of da Arcane Arts, we can point dem to da Docents. For dose who wish to 'elp wildlife and nature, we can point dem to da Tranquil Grove. For dose who wish to explore the infinite possibilities of music, talent, and artisanry, da bards and uddah professionals we can coordinate efforts and even 'ave contests to motivate one anuddah t'rough competition! And to 'one our cooperative combat skills, I believe we could collaborate wit' da Stormbringers on dat to make sure dat any time an enemy comes into da fray, Jastrey becomes a unified force to fend off dose who threaten whom we wish to protect."
A voice can be heard down the path to the tavern.
"COOOORREEELLLLUUUUUUUSSSSSS!!!!!!!!"
Seren comes into town, running as fast as he can. He gets closer to the tavern and yells a little more.
"IM HERE CORELLUS!!!!"
He bursts into the tavern, coming to a stop as he bends over and catches his breath.
The dark elf, still a tad surprised, continues to look at Seren for a moment, then addresses everyone else, "This, everyone, is Seren. He is da friend I spoke about dat I discussed creating dis guild wit. He tends to be more... ent'usiastic dan I am at times... I take it you ran 'ere as soon as you read da note?"
As Seren's breathing becomes normal, he lifts his head up and lets out a sigh.
"I did. I did not think I could run that fast. Whew, I'm glad I'm finally able to sit and relax for a minute."
He grabs a mug and the kettle and pours himself some tea. After taking a drink, he smiles.
"This tea is fantastic."
The dark elf smiles slightly, and then continues to address everyone altogether, "But jes, as I was saying, I want to 'elp build a community dat encourages growt' and learning about Magic, Nature, da Arts, organized Combat, and even unlockin da mysteries about our world, all whilst explorin the significants of our culture. Not jus' specifically for elves, or sylvan, but all of whom flourish in the freedom of da wild."
"Would you all be interested?"
'My interest falls squarely on the learning. Learning what? It is of no consequence. Learning is what will maintain our freedoms.'
Marloff's face softens and he lowers his voice as he continues. 'An important truth, that I learned long ago, is that when groups gather, such as we gather here today, you garner unwanted attention as well.'
A slow scan of the eyes around the tavern causes pause to his words. 'Evil and Good are the Gods right hands and left. There is nothing the right hand does that the left is not aware of.'
Marloff straightens up in his chair, unaware that he even leaned in over the table. 'I should change my tone before I ruin the atmosphere and get Althena upset with me.' A smile fills his face once again. Pleased with himself for poking at her and knowing that her ire would never do him any real harm.
'Alright then, for a more straight forward answer. Am I interested? Absolutely. But I also need to say that I am a member of the Docents and my loyalties lay there. Not just with the tombs and the tower but also its members. I will not fore sake them.'
He turns to address Corellus directly, 'I do not wish to diminish from your invitation. I will always hold your invitation to sit as a friend in highest esteem. But there will be times when you see me sit with a group, at a table or off in a field, and wonder about my true intentions. Never you forget, my intentions are always about the learning.'
The dark elf ponders Marloff's every word, mulling it over, "You do indeed 'old a point dere. Dere would be dose 'oo would join merely to exploit. While I cannot prevent dat, I 'ave t'ought of a way to defend against it were their nefariousness come to light."
The dark elf takes a small parchment out of his side pouch, as he is retrieving it he also addresses the mage's latter comment, "As far as bein part of anuddah guild while being a part of ours, dere is not'ing dat I will force you to disclose from your uddah guild for our purposes, I steell plan to work wit' uddah guilds for our purposes." He has the parchment successfully retrieved and unravelled but continues his thought. "While I am one wit da Circle of Paladins," insert microexpression of a sneer, "I plan to aid dis group as bein completely separate from Paladinship."
Cedar gave the new elf an amused look as he came running in, and listened to the short interchange between Corellus, and this new one who had been addressed and Seren. He seemed excitable, genuine, and enthusiastic about this venture. Cedar listened intently to Marloff's reply and nodded, the logic seemed sound, but too...well...logical. Cedar tended to decide with more emotion, but he could respect the difference of ways.
"I would join, if you would have me. I have no influence in this place, and barely enough power to keep my heart beating in some of the altercations that have happened here, but I believe that my heart aligns with the ideals you've set forth. Nurturing nature, cultivating art, helping guide society into something more...good? Banding together as a grove of trees stands wind-fim while a single pine may fall. This is worth devoting myself to."
"Fantastic, I am pleased to 'ear dat!" Enthusiasm practically emanates from the dark elf at this point. "I am going to write up some ideas for when dere is an official meeting. And probably discuss ideas for proper logo or symbol for recognition... for some reason birds continue to come to mind... but as far as what to call da guild da title t'ought up is dees."
The dark elf takes the parchment out, and a thin charcoal to write with. He pauses as if trying to remember the characters, and then writes out a word in a foreign language before showing it to everyone. "Dis is elvish script, I only recently learned 'ow to write it in my visit to da Klasies, but I am steell practicin.' Eet says Tel'Quessir', which translates in common to 'Of the People.' Any t'oughts?"
Althena, who had been sitting quietly as the discussion went on around her, reached forward to refill her empty cup. "I, too, would wish to be a part of this endeavor." She smiles at Marloff, choosing to ignore his little jab. "Know my first concern is always the welfare of others. Rhallana teaches that we are to offer mercy and charity to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. So," she looks at each of the men now at the table. "if I seem to simply disappear at times, usually I am whereever my skills are needed most."
Weylyn was quiet for a bit as he took in what everyone was saying, before finally nodding. "So long as the will of the group does not go against others I have pledged my allegence to, I would also be willing to assist you in your endeaver Corellus-san. Unity is a worthy cause. And one that I would be willing to support whole heartedly." he said mulling over his words as he spoke.
"I t'ank you for jour input. Now, I will make t'ings more official in da weeks to come. Right now, dis is just me gettin a feel for whedduh or not dere would be any interest." If dere are no more words, I will part ways and get to workin on more to bring to da table." The dark elf takes a sip of his tea, and then is saddened by it now being cold, but doesn't show it but for a second and then pours himself some more. "So... Alt'ena, Marloff, Seren, Weylyn, and Cedar, I will attempt to remember each of your names."
Now a familiar place to her, Althena walks with more confidence into the darkened interior of the Shady Corner Inn. She scans the familiar, somewhat familiar and unfamiliar faces within. As always, her gaze shifts to the now unused fireplace in the back. A smile crosses her features as she spies a familiar figure, dressed unusually in white this evening, sitting, as is his wont, alone. She is surprised, however, by the lay out before him. She paces toward the back, her smile widening as she steps to the table.
"Good eve, Corellus," she greets, "May I have a seat?" She indicates one of the nearby chairs, shifting her pouch as she readies herself for the dark elf's invitation.