as we're starting off, the ship is ready, you have a full crew of NPCs, and Aelthel has just stepped on board with his own survival gear. On top of it, you've arranged for a shipment of finished goods to be taken to New Hope... standard trade, you know . o O (Good idea of Davies', that cargo. I'd never have thought of it. When, of course, I should have. Experience! Must become an experienced captain!) * Curuar moves through the rigging, checking ropes, canvas, and hardware * Arianna checks over supplies a final time, more out of habit than anything else. Aelthel's at the front of the ship, trying to stay out of the way ( Where are Josh and Legis? ) * Bourne spends spare minutes chatting up Aethel about his research, what he expects to find, the like. Making polite conversation with the passenger, though also genuinely interested. * Josh is on the deck, having actually gotten caught up on cleaning for once. He's leaning on the railing, wiggling his toes and letting the wind blow through his hair. It's refreshing. Perhaps by coincidence, his vantage point faces more towards a certain section of the city than the open sea. "Tell me, Captain, have you heard about the mythical War of the Elves?" "Very little. My schooling has mostly been meteorological. Please, elaborate." * Josh turns around, leaning back on the railing, listening. Elf Wars are cool. "Well, it's common knowledge that the nation of Allire'al was founded by the unification of the twelve elven tribes under one ruler, almost eight millenia ago. According to the myths, there was a thirteenth tribe which did not participate. Modern scholars insist it was the tribe of elves in the Chione river delta, where Freehold currently sits." * Josh nods absently. "However, the myths indicate that it was a war against the dark elves, the chosen people of Vy the Corruptor, not the desert elves who are of a much lighter shade. And I noticed that you have a dark elf among your crew." * Bourne eyes Legis. * Bourne eyes Legis' *hair.* * Curuar finishes his check of the rigging and gets down onto the deck * Josh does not eye Legis or her hair. * Legis is sorta sitting on a mast, listening curiously. "Ah, yes. Fascinating woman." "Legis," he calls out, "would you happen to have ever heard something about Vy taking a shine to you and yours?" "Anyways, the myths indicate that the War of the Elves was fought by the twelve elven tribes in Allire'al against the thirteenth tribe... the dark elves. I think the ruins of Umoja are the key, but I need to get there to get more evidence." * Legis hops down from the mast to stand nearish Bourne. "Can't say's I have, but those who're mine aren't other Elves, y'know?" "Sounds fascinating. I look forward to the search. If I get the opportunity I'd like to join you." "Legis, is it? Tell me, where are you from?" ...would not a war with only one tribe against twelve be quite one-sided? (" ") *to Josh* "Well, according to the myths, the dark elves lost. So yes, it was one-sided." "Legis it is, and that's sort of a funny question..." She looks somewhat embarrased. "Raised in a temple kinda Eastish, but I was a foundling..." "I wouldn't really think it would be much of a war, honestly. Not unless the one tribe had some massive trick up their collective sleeves." "There's a saying about that: 'The gods are omnipotent, but the devils are not fools. One wonders what the trick is.'" "What's your guess on what happened?" "Well, there's some passages in the mythologies that make me wonder. 'Both Vy's corruption and Navor's means of victory had a price on the elves, as neither high elf nor dark elf remained immortal, although they remain extremely long-lived'." "That's easy enough. There is only one omnipotent God." *smiles, trying to be more light-hearted and less preachy ... this time* "I simply meant that they must have thought there was some reason to fight." He has a thought. "Unless it was purely defensive. What was the actual reason for the war, Aethelred? Surely not simply because they refused to join the Alliance -- was there some threat they posed to the high elves?" * Aelthel ponders Arianna's question. "Well, the myths indicate they were driven underground; and yet no caverns have yet been discovered near the Chione river. And the myths are vague about the causes, indicating that Vy had maneuvered distrust on both sides." * Bourne nods. Sounds like the old bastard. "I'm hesitant to say exactly what caused it as yet. I'm still gathering evidence for it's existance." "Ah. So that's what you're looking for, then?" * Curuar listens quietly to the discussion, keeping an eye on the sea * Legis hrms. * Aelthel nods. "Finding any evidence of the dark elves on the surface anywhere would be a step towards it. Then it's a matter of translating any written records they've left behind, if any." * Josh leans forward, excited. "You can read dark elf? Can you teach me?" * Legis shakes her head at Aelthel, smiling. "Can't help but be funny you prolly know more about elves than I." She turns and climbs up into the rigging. * Bourne glances back after Legis. She look distrubed by the line of discussion at all? (Just worried about her.) *to Bourne* "I cannot; at least, not without a bit of help from these." He indicates a pouch on his belt, from which he pulls out a small vial of a clear red liquid. Did you mean to Josh? ( erm, yeah... damn scroll ) * Josh eyes the vial distrustfully. "Oh?" * Bourne eyes the potions. "Yes, I suppose finding a dictionary -- or even an abecedary -- for Dark Elven language would be a bit tricky. +" "If the Dark Elves went underground, why not start at a place known as Dark Elf haunts and backtrack from there?" "From what I've heard of them, they wouldn't appreciate the visit." "er, sir." * Arianna frowns. "Something's always bugged me. If you spend all your time underground, away from the sun and everything, shouldn't you get paler instead of darker?" "The curses of false gods and true demons are potent, ma'am." "If only it was that easy. Finding the current dark elf haunts is part of my search; currently, despite the presense of several dark elves appearing almost at random on the surface, none are known." * Arianna raises an Eye at Josh. "Anyway, thanks, Baronet. I was just hoping..." *trails off under Arianna's raised Eye* *Aelthel chuckles. "A follower of the Church of Yohe`vohe`? Despite the slightly skewed point of view, the boy is right. If the dark elves are the product of the goddess's handiwork in her own image, it's doubtful that, even over eight millenia, they would get paler." * Josh manages to direct his own Eye at the deck rather than the Baronet for the 'skewed point of view' comment. "Well, perhaps we'll shed some light on the nature of the affliction when we learn something from the voyage." "Well, even if the ruins are not from the old dark elf civilization, we ought to learn *something*. Perhaps they even date to the even more mythical Dragon Empire, although the odds are very against it." * Bourne . o O (The conversation seems to be winding down...) "And we shan't know until we get there, either, though speculation *is* always such fun. In the meantime, Baronet, I hope you will do me the honor of joining me for dinner in my cabin tonight?") -) "Certainly, Captain." * Legis idly thinks to herself as she finds a comfortable place up in the masts. . o O (Hrm. I wonder. Never met another dark elf...) ( alright, fast-forwarding to the evening meal for the "senior crew" (aka the PCs) a few days later. Josh, being "cabin boy" is doing most of the serving, I take it? And I'm assuming that the passenger has been invited by Bourne? ) ( Josh'd be more than happy to serve, provided the cook trusts him to carry food. :P ) ( I'd think that'd be among his duties as "cabin boy" ) * Legis stays generally out of sight-ish for a day or two, for various values of the term, except when something tasty wafts up. That she's being quiet is rather different for her, obviously. * Arianna goes about daily work, and meditation. * Curuar is off-duty at the moment ( Okay, dinner time? ) * Legis sits crosslegged on a stool and sniffs curiously at the whatever-it-is on her plate, more animated than she's been the last few days. * Bourne has invited Aethel, yes. Also whatever crew -- that will fit in the captain's cabin unfolded into a mess -- he's known for a while from previous mission(s), i.e. the PCs. * Josh finishes serving the food, and then takes the serving tray over to a corner and retrieves the wine, pouring for each, starting with Bourne. He's actually pretty good at this. The meal is a mix of roasted salt pork, fresh fish, rice, and something the cook calls "campfire stew" "This is a pretty good cook you have on board, Captain. My compliments." * Legis thoughtfully chews on a fish as she considers the wine. "Ah, thank you." "He's been with us for a few missions. Does amazing things with random stuff we'd find in a prize's galley." * Josh retreats to the corner with the food tray once everyone's served, there to stand attendance in case anyone needs anything. And to eavesdrop. "... so, I've wondered something; prolly you know this better than I," she says to Aelthel. She takes a sip from her glass as if considering whether she wants to know. "Are dark elves really that uncommon? Thought maybe it was just one of those things where I was wandering in the wrong habitat..." "Like penguins, kinda." "I haven't seen many, but I admit I rarely visited the final resting points back home." * Aelthel sips on his own wine thoughtfully. "It's quite possible that the only reason that dark elves are uncommon in our known world is because they've not actually from what we know of the world. I mean, for all we know, they're natives of Gemenohee or Deep Umoja." "Both are regions which we know almost nothing." * Legis nods. "Heh, taller jungle dwarves?" "Legis, you'd know, I suppose. Have you ever suspected you were really human?" "Was raised human, of sorts, so I can say that most humans aren't this spry at 93." *smiles at Legis's remark* "Very few. But wouldn't those with whom you were left have some idea of how you were brought to them?" (be a nice trick, as most are dead by now) * Bourne murmurs to Aethelred, "Probably rules out that theory, at least." (old age is a kicker) "I am curious... how did you come to be raised by humans?" * Josh eyes Legis at her mention of her age, as if he doesn't quite believe it. * Legis shrugs at Bourne. "Maybe they did. Didn't think to ask until past the point where they'd tell me tho." She grins slightly. "Problem with being of an order dedicated to dispersing jolly confusion." * Bourne consumes some of the 'campfire stew.' "If dark elves aren't from this world, there aren't many other options. Arianna, you mentioned that they had an afterlife accessible to your people? Or was it an afterlife?" * Aelthel's eyes seem to twinkle. "The enigmatic Lords of Chaos?" * Arianna frowns slightly at the mention. But only slightly. * Legis chuckles. "No no no... completely different collection of weirdos. We're far less organized and work on a broader scale." "Same company, different department?" "Like, y'ever hit one of those moments when life is just completely surreal and you can't tell if you're awake or not?" She pauses a beat. "You're welcome." She giggles. "... though, in truth, overlap between the two there might be. Besides, I'm a lady." "There have been Lord of Chaos who were women." *slight grin* "Are the Gods you follow the reliable sort of Chaos god, or the ones that will help you as often as they will ignore you or harm you?" :. o O (Reliable sort of Chaos god?) ( Gods of Luck. ) ( now are you talking Trys, god of pranks; Tyche, goddess of luck; or Ha'all, god of Chaos? ) ( /me introduces you to the nameless god, the rainbow dragon of all colors and none, the chaotic evil dragon god and father of the chromatic dragons. Nicest god of chaos and destruction you ever met. ) "Have there? Can you be sure that those women weren't, in fact, disguised cabbages? As to Gods, Eris is my patroness, though it seems noone much has heard of Her, which I suppose is just as well..." * Josh represses a giggle at the 'true identity' of those women. * Curuar eats and listens, having nothing of substance to contribute to the conversation (FWIW, in this setting, Eris is likely an invented deity. Which fits pretty well, actually. ;) ) "Anyhoo, I guess I share a certain amount of curiousity about the dark elves." * Bourne notes quietly that Ari didn't actually answer his question. Supposes she has her reasons. ( What quesion? ) ( Oh, wait. ) ( "If dark elves aren't from this world, there aren't many other options. Arianna, you mentioned that they had an afterlife accessible to your people? Or was it an afterlife?" ) "I guess it'd be what you'd call an afterlife, a place for the departed to call kip. I'm afraid I haven't got much of an idea of death, at least as you understand it. It just looks like relocation to me. I suppose that sounds pretty awful to Primes, though." * Legis shrugs. "Everything's relocation?" "I quite understand you'd have a different point of view on the matter." "Kinda. 'cept you aren't allowed to leave, excepting exceptional circumstances." * Legis nods. "Well, excepting exceptional exceptions is the acceptable norm." She giggles. * Curuar is feeling quite out of his depth witht this conversation. Having had plenty to eat, he'll politely excuse himself and go out on deck "Something like that." /me is listening to the conversation, but doesn't have a right to contribute. He just keeps the places neat as possible, taking empty plates and refilling goblets when appropriate. Aelthel listens quite intently to everyone, and often flicks his eyes over to Josh rather expectantly. * Legis has quit IRC (Client closed connection ) "Aethelred, have you taken any precautions, lest anything you find be... well, dangerous? Cursed, not to put to fine a point on it? Given the mythologies you've connected to the issue." * Legis has joined #highseas (Ow.) ( re, Legis... wrong button?) (Computers suck) "Precautions other than being armed as best as possible? One, but I'm not yet willing to divulge it." O_o "As you wish..." "I will prepare for protections from dark magics and curses, Captain." Josh blinks, and colors when he realizes he's spoken out of turn. "Being legged is important too." * Josh does laugh at that before he can control himself. * Bourne nods at Josh. "Eminently wise." "Thank you, Sir." * Bourne blinks at the bread. "Oh, I say. Weevils." He separates a couple of pests from the loaf. "Aethelred, sir, could I have your scientific opinion on these two specimens? Which of the two would you prefer? Zoologically, so to speak." Have to go. Later folx * Curuar has quit IRC (Quit: People who run from God keep forgetting that He is an excellent sniper. ) "Heh, glad I don't have to eat." Not that that stopped her or anything, but... "Certainly, Captain." * Josh raises an eyebrow at that, eyeing Legis eating... * Legis bites into another fish. "Wha? Fishes are delicious. Never said I can't eat..." * Josh doesn't reply, but does refil her mysteriously empty wine glass. For, what, the third time already? (Yes, well, she likes wine too) (I know, hence the note of the third refill already. :P ) "Well, the red one does appear healthier, but the blue one is longer and fatter." "Very discerning eye, sir, but there is no getting around it - - suppose you had to choose one, which would it be?" "I'd choose neither." "That doesn't look healthy to eat at all." "Hypothetically, though. Supposing you had to?" * Bourne looks very seriously at Aethelred. "Why not just keep them as pets or something?" * Josh watches this exchange curiously, wondering what his captain is up to. "My point exactly, my lady. But, if it was eating a weevil or death, I'd say the red one." "The healthier?! Ah-hah! I have you now, sir -- you are completely bumfoozled." * Bourne raises a finger at Aethelred. "For do you not know, sir, that when one is at sea one must always choose the lesser of two weevils?" * Legis raises her glass in a salute to Bourne. Aelthel bursts out laughing. "A good one, Captain." * Josh groans. * Bourne chuckles. Was a little worried that the joke wasn't going to fly if Aethel kept steadfastly refusing to pick one. Now am I the only one in here who remembered that from "Master and Commander"? never seen it, acutally... am quite behind on seeing the good movies ( I have never seen it, either, and really have little interest in it. ) * Bourne sighs. Okay, okay, we can move on. * Arianna doesn't get it at all, assumes it's some Prime thing. * Phantasm sets mode: +o Legis * Bourne eyes his glass of wine -- still his first -- and idly wonders if it's going to his head faster tonight or something. ( Where Arianna comes from, one does not "choose between the lesser of two evils", so there. Nyaaah. ) "Sir? If I may be so bold, should you ever retire from the sea, you may find yourself a high-paying position as a torturer. Applying your rapier wit so adroitly will make any man eager to talk." *delivered dryly* * Legis giggles. "Bah, puns are the highest form of humor. Or was that lowest?" . o O (Well, at least for once I'm not the stone-faced one in the room.) * Josh executes a quater-bow from the waist and steps back to his corner, not commenting further. "Judging by the comments of the past few days, Miss Arianna, you are from another plane?" "Yeah, that'd be about right." "If you don't mind me asking, which one?" "Why, the home of the Celestials." "The Wandering Mountains, or Sylvania?" "The Mountains." "And have you travelled to Golma's realm?" * Arianna drinks a bit. "A couple times..." "And did you ever encounter any dark elves there?" "Or, more accurately, their souls?" "It's difficult to tell, but I think I may have. The vast majority are human, though. Most likely because they breed quickly and don't live for too long... why do you ask?" "Well, did any say where they were from before they died?" Session Time: Sat Dec 10 00:00:00 2005 "I'm afraid I never really asked. Not considered a polite topic of discussion. At least, the area I was in. If you want me to, I could probably try asking about it next time I'm in the area." "It's okay, I was merely curious. Every little tip helps, mind you, but some things can be discovered by more civilized methods." * Arianna looks at her Aelthel curiously. "Why do you ask?" . o O (Afterlife etiquette. Fascinating.) : . o O (You know, that would be an amazing expedition. Just to see...) * Bourne gets a little smile and a far-off look in his eyes. * Josh eyes the Captain as he tops off his not-yet-drained goblet. * Arianna doesn't seem to understand the signifigance of this at all. "Well, there's certainly the question of where *are* the majority of dark elves, as there are so few of them in the known world." "There are others, right?" "You presumably had a mother." "I dunno, they did mention something about an egg..." "I do have a mother, yes..." Aelthel chuckles slightly at the "egg" comment. * Josh bites his tongue, eyeing Legis's hair again at the mention of an egg. "The elf and the egg, dear. Egg had to come from somewhere." * Bourne thinks of something, turns back to Ari. "Wait. You're a person, then? I thought you were an angel." "Fell from a tree, of course. Why do you think the normal elves have such an affinity for them?" * Josh blinks, suddenly distracted by that comment. He focusses on Bourne and Arianna for a moment. * Arianna blinks. "Well, not eentirely. A long time ago, a group of humans travelling the planes found the Wandering Mountains..." "Aah. "Having found a place to rest, they settled down. Over millenia, the Celestials took a number of them as wives and husbands." "We are not yet Celestials, but we are no longer quite human either..." "So you're half-celestial? Or aasimar?" * Josh just looks confused, now. "Or possibly zenythri?" * Bourne is learning new words! * Bourne . o O (I hope I'm not too drunk to remember them. From aasimar to zenythri... ) "Aasimar, I suppose, would be the closest term. We are certainly descendants of celestials and humans, though our community mainly weds within itself." * Josh 's mouth is somewhat agape. "The original name of the band of humans has, unfortunately, been lost to the ravages of time. I suppose that might be a better term for our people. In any case, our society is largely integrated with that of the Celestials, and we consider them no longer our protectors, but our kinsmen." Aelthel nods. * Arianna stretches, and lets herself relax a bit more. "So, yeah. We consider ourselves the same people. We can't do fancy stuff like they can, but we've got a few tricks, like calling forth that little ball of holiness back there." When'd that happen? ( Keegis ) ( when the Horizon was captured, actually... ) * Josh makes another round, peeking to see if anyone needs refills or anything else. Aelthel's hardly touched his, only drinking half a glass the entire time * Bourne isn't recalling this at the moment, puts it down to fallible memory. "So, yeah. It's not a terribly exciting story. I'm just here to investigate Redwater, maybe right a few other wrongs, but if Skyhome really wanted to take a direct hand in things, there would be a lot more. Seems like this place can largely take care of itself." Aelthel smiles. "Or maybe the gods really do take a more subtle approach than people expect them to." "I dunno. Maybe." "Or maybe fnord some third option." "LIke what?" "Exactly." Aelthel laughs at this. "Quite possible. Well, it's been an entertaining night, but I think I'd best turn in. Captain, your hospitality has been excellent." "Alright. Good night." "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow." "G'night!" She realizes that, actually, she hasn't learned anything about her race but oh well. (I'm falling asleep at the keyboard here... leave off here for tonight?) (Works for me... I was falling asleep in my chair 6 hours ago)