Author's Note: This chapter is the prelude to a game that I've been running on and off for six years, told through the eyes of my fiancés character because she is the last original member left in the group. Hope you enjoy our random insanity, and my storytelling. Disclaimer: We do not own any Dungeons and Dragons material used in this story, just the characters and world that we created.
Team Chaos: By Luthien's Eyes
Chapter 1
My journey started with my mother, Lillian Amil. It is common for my people, the Elves, to succumb to a profound wanderlust once they reach maturity between their 110th and 120th year of life. Mother was so very happy when my time came, soon after the turning of my 119th spring. She said to me, "Luthien, the most important thing you can do is to enjoy the time you spend out in the world, and make the most of it. And come back and visit me whenever you can." She smiled as she said it, and hugged me tightly. Then we walked out to join the celebration.
Said celebration was actually for me, as well as two other young elves that were setting out the following day. My kind is wont to celebrate life and freedom at every possible opportunity, as we are an exceptionally free-spirited people. So it is that when young elves such as us decide that it is time to embark on the customary journey, a great festival is put together.
My mother and I live near the outskirts of the great elven city of Wrenloft, our race's primary settlement in this part of the world. Wrenloft is a sprawling city, formed around the natural environment of the Feywild, a great forest and jungle that dominates the center of the region. While elves are the predominant race of humanoids in the north of the Feywild, the denser southern region is ruled over by the fey of the Seelie Court, our allies. The number of our kind that live in Wrenloft and the surrounding area is quite large, and the celebrations that are put on are quite similar in size.
During our celebration, my fellow wanderers-to-be and I (one male and one female) were toasted, and songs were created on the spot in our honor by the bards. Many of them were quite humorous, poking fun at us. Others called to the melancholy of elvenkind, a byproduct of our long lives. Food was had, mostly greens, but with some fine meat, including a prize stag that a local ranger had brought down that morning. All three of us were also gifted with a bottle of fine elven wine from a vineyard to the east of the forest. There was dancing, and some elves told tales of their own adventures around the fires well into the wee hours of the morn. My mother also presented me with a parting gift, a flower of great beauty for my hair, enchanted to never wither no matter the time or the weather. She secured it in my hair with a fine mithril clip, and told me to remember her when I looked at it. I promised I would; how could I not?
Eventually the party ended, and we went to our homes and entered Reverie. In the morning, bright and early we met again by the northernmost point of Wrenloft. My mother and I ate a small but filling breakfast of honeycakes on the way, and she took great pleasure in carrying my backpack to the gate and handing it to me before we three departed. The two of us exchanged hugs, and a promise to see and hear from each other again. Then the general population swarmed us, and I was being given congratulations, advice, and wishes for good fortune by the elves I had spent my first century of life amongst. Finally my fellows and I stood before the crowd, bowed, and exited the gates together to the fanfare of our people. I blew a last kiss to my mother before the gates closed, and finally settled my backpack firmly on my shoulders determined to follow my heart's longing for the road.
My fellow adventurers and I spent a good many hours talking as we followed the paths to the northern edge of the Feywild. The male elf was named Dathes, and was a ranger of considerable training, but little experience save for hunting. The female I learned was called Kalliah, and that she was a cleric of Sehanine Moonbow, lover of Corellon Larethian the Lord of the Elven pantheon of deities known as the Seldarine. I myself was both a trained warrior and arcanist, in the classic tradition of the elves. However I had my own… quirks. I couldn't see my way around to wielding the traditional weapons of the elves; the longsword and longbow. My weapon was the aara, a whipsword made of segmented blades connected by a thin but strong chain. It was currently wrapped up in a special holster on my right thigh.
Likewise in my magical schooling I differed slightly in my methods. While most wizards and sorcerers prefer to destroy their enemies with fire and lightning, I could never really feel comfortable using magic to create such destructive forces. My preferred magic was enchantments, abjurations, and illusions. I prefer to dazzle my enemies, trick or mislead them, and keep myself safe from their blades and spells. If I must kill, I prefer to use my aara.
My backpack was filled with essentials. Flint and steel, a bedroll, extra clothing, food and a waterskin, my wizard's spellbook, two potions of healing, and fifty feet of rope. Almost every piece of advice the veteran adventurers had given out had involved the numerous uses of rope, and I wanted to be sure I learned from those with more experience than I. I also wore my armor: loose garments, trousers and a blouse, both shades of green and padded with leather specially stitched on to appear decorative while remaining functional, and to not hinder my movements when casting spells. As well as my aara, I also carried a simple dagger, in case the need for a second, smaller blade arose.
My two companions and I reached the edge of the forest as the sun was going down over the horizon. But the horizon was different than I expected. As soon as we breached the tree line, all three of us gasped. Before us was something none of us had seen before: mountains. Far off in the distance, a mountain range dominated the skyline, seemingly broad farther north, but coming to a point facing the south. Open plains dotted with large clusters of trees and various grasses and flowers sprawled out before us, painted a beautiful orange-gold as the sun set between two mountains. The sight was breathtaking.
The path was much more visible here; whereas in the forest only elf eyes could make out the trail markings, here the path clearly diverged into three separate ways: one to the east, one north, and one west. We decided to spend our first night as adventurers together before separating in the morning, each taking a different path. Dathes started a fire and went off to gather deadwood, while Kalliah and I prepared our food, which she promptly blessed. When Dathes returned, we supped on nuts, berries, and dried jerky. Kalliah then decided to open her bottle of wine, and we each shared in a cup of it. We toasted each other and the adventures we would find, then Kalliah entered Reverie as Dathes and I took first watch.
I took my Reverie last, and awoke as the sun was peeking through the boughs of the great Feywild oaks and maples. The three of us struck camp, ate our breakfast, Kalliah prayed to Sehanine as I pored over my spellbook and Dathes kept watch, and finally the time came for us to part ways. We embraced as a group, having become close over the course of the last day, and turned to our paths with fond farewells on our lips. I turned to the west, Kalliah to the north, and Dathes to the east. With that we parted ways, and I began my life's adventure in truth.
I walked with purpose down the path as the sun steadily rose to shine on the Oerth's surface. My elven senses took in the scents of many flowers borne by the breeze, and the sights of many animals scampering through the meadows and trees. Nary a fellow traveler did I meet following this path along the edge of the Feywild, not even a fellow elf. The road was mine, and mine alone for the time being it seemed.
For two days I walked, following the path and snacking on the food I had packed. Twice I stopped at small streams and refilled my waterskin. I entertained myself with thoughts of the grand adventures this path would lead me on, and by conjuring small twinkling lights and other magical effects to practice and play with. I spent my first night alone since leaving my home. It was somewhat unsettling, but I reminded myself that the borders of the Feywild were well-patrolled, and that most evil humanoids wouldn't dare set foot near here. Still, I set an alarm spell to wake me if anything came too close during my four hour Reverie.
I finally saw signs of humanoid life again near the evening of the second day, a farm in the distance growing wheat and potatoes. My keen eyes picked out a human man roaming among his crops weeding, and a woman and two children washing clothes near their house. It was a charming little place, sturdily built and clean from the look of it. I quickened my pace, excited at the prospect of contact with humans, who I'd seen only rarely in Wrenloft.
The farmer spied me and raised his hand to his eyes to block the sun's rays, trying to see me more clearly. I waved politely, and went to the small wooden fence in front of the family's small lawn. The man met me there, and didn't seem too shocked by my pointed elven ears. He introduced himself as Halen, and when I asked about his lack of surprise he simply shrugged and stated that the nearest town boasted quite a large population of elves. "Must be over two, maybe three hunnerd of your folk in Lunas, and quite a fine folk they are if I say so myself. Always give a good price for our crops they do."
"How far is Lunas?" I asked the man, and he replied, "'Bout another mile or so down the road. Once you reach the top of that hill you'll be able to see it," he said, motioning to a hill perhaps a hundred yards in the direction I was heading. "Look for the Black Unicorn Inn," he advised, "they got rooms for fair prices, and good food and drink as well. Tell old Maven I sent ye, she'll get you an even sweeter price on some of her spiced cakes." He winked and pointed to his field. "Uses the wheat I sell'd her to make 'em."
I thanked Halen and made to move on, but his children, two young girls with their mother's long dark blonde hair ran up to the fence and shouted hello at me. I smiled at their grinning faces and blew them a kiss, casting a minor cantrip which sent a flickering ball of pink sparklers spiraling over towards them before exploding harmlessly into flower petals. The two clapped loudly, obviously used to some degree of magic thanks to my brethren in the nearby town. Halen nodded to me in thanks, and took his children by the hand to lead them to their mother once again. I sighed contentedly and hurried on, wanting to make Lunas by nightfall.
Sure enough the town came into view as soon as I crested the hill. It looked like a fairly large village. I could see businesses, homes with large gardens, and a large lake many miles in the distance. "That must be Kriss Lake," I muttered to myself, referring to a massive lake that bordered the western edge of the Feywild. I'd never laid eyes on it, but had wanted to see it my whole life. With that in mind, I set off down the path.
Lights flickered to life in the village as the sun dropped below the horizon. My elf eyes adjusted quickly to the change, seeing just as well in the starlight as in sunlight. Soon I came to the gate, which stood open still. The guards were two of my own people, holding bent longbows and staring out over the fields. They stopped me briefly and asked me my business, and were delighted to learn that I was newly set out from the forest on my life's journey. They wished me luck and the blessing of Corellon, and allowed me to pass through the gate.
Stepping lightly after that pleasant encounter, I made my way towards the town's center. Children still ran through the streets, but the calls of parents were beginning to ring out. The village was beginning to go to sleep for the night. One building however was still quite busy, and somewhat loud: the Black Unicorn Inn. I smiled at the sight; my people do not enter Reverie until much later at night than when humans enter "sleep." I'm told they require at least eight hours, and they are nigh unconscious in this state. Reverie by comparison is a four hour period of meditational trance, which relaxes the body and refreshes the mind. I was willing to bet that many of the inn's customers were my people.
I was about to open the door and step inside when a man stumbled out, clearly inebriated, tipped his hat to me and strode down the street with an uneven gait. He was chuckling and whistling as he went. "Better than seeing someone thrown out I suppose," I intoned. Then I opened the door and went inside.
My first impression was one of quiet glee. The room was low lit by a few oil lamps along the walls. The barkeep, who I took to be Maven, was a middle-aged woman of medium build with long black hair shot through with silver streaks. She looked up as I entered and waved to me over the roar of conversation and rowdiness. I smiled back at her and walked over to the bar, settling onto a stool and dropping my backpack onto the floor beside me.
"Hello, miss. My name is Maven, may I ask yours?" Her voice was gentle and reedy, but easy to hear over the noise. "Luthien Amil, of Styrewood" I introduced myself. "Styrewood?" She asked as she picked up a stein to wipe out. "I don't believe I've heard of the place."
"It's essentially a part of Wrenloft," I supplied, trying to be helpful. "Ah, I see now dear," she said, recognizing the name. "So what will you be needing? A room for the night, some food and drink perhaps?"
"That would be wonderful," I said, grinning back at her. "Also, a man named Halen told me to ask about your spiced cakes." Maven grinned widely at that, reached beneath the counter and produced a small plate with two fresh cakes sitting pretty upon it. "Wine?" she asked, and I nodded assent gratefully. She poured a glass from a fine green bottle of clearly elvish wine and set it down in front of me. "Just three silver for the room dear," she said. I reached for my coin pouch and asked, "how much for the cakes and wine?"
"Oh, those are on me dearie," she replied with a smile. I thanked her and handed her three silver pieces, not even a trifle of what I had currently. With that she had to move on and attend to other customers, leaving me to eat my cakes and drink my wine. Both were excellent, and once I finished my cakes, I nursed my wine and turned in my stool to get a better look at the rest of the customers in the inn that night.
I saw mostly elves, as well as a good number of humans and even a few half-elves. I'd only met one or two in my lifetime, as most visitors to Wrenloft never wandered out to Styrewood. I also saw a pair of what could only be dwarves sitting in a corner together drinking from massive steins of beer and singing bawdy songs about dwarf women. I grinned to myself. All I'd heard of dwarves seemed correct, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of them.
After turning my gaze towards the rest of the inn, I caught a snatch of conversation coming from a table nearby. "Damn wolves'll have every last one of my chickens afore long if I can't find some way to catch 'em or drive 'em off." It was a man, clearly a farmer, commiserating with two of his fellows. He was rather unremarkable, brown hair and eyes, a bowl cut, unshaved. But his tone caught my attention, and I had to speak up.
"Wolves are eating your chickens, good sir? Perhaps I can help?" The farmer and his friends looked up at me, sitting there with my wine, and started to chuckle. I'll admit, at times I can have a temper, be it ever so slight. So rather than do something truly brash, I simply invoked a minor cantrip and caused the flame of the candle on their table to suddenly grow to be a foot high, then just as quickly shrink to its former unimpressive height.
Suffice it to say the farmers, as well as a good deal of the rest of the inn's patrons stopped suddenly and stared at me. I calmly sipped from my wine and flipped my hair back over my shoulders, revealing my pointed ears more clearly. "Perhaps," I reiterated, "I can help you with your wolf problem." The man and his friends looked at me with fresh eyes, taking in for the first time it seemed my ears, my clothing, and the aara in its holster at my side. "Perhaps you're right miss," the farmer said, clearly sweating. "Forgive us if we insulted you, I beg." I nodded my assent and asked politely, "so how many wolves are we talking about?"
The rest of the inn went back to their business, and I noted Maven giving me a somewhat stern look out of the corner of my eye. I nodded apologetically for overreacting, and she nodded back seemingly satisfied with the small act of contrition. The farmer introduced himself finally then. "My name is Toliver miss. And I believe there to be five wolves at least, more or less. May I inquire as to your name miss?"
"Luthien Amil, sir. And five wolves should present me no problem at all. Will tomorrow night be a suitable time for me to resolve this issue for you?"
"Indeed. And I shall be sure to have a proper reward prepared for your services should you succeed. Meet me at my home tomorrow at nightfall?"
"That will work. Where is your home?"
"Down the west road a piece, with a henhouse just behind and a broken fence around the side."
"Tomorrow at dusk then."
"I shall be waiting for you."
"Very well then. It has been a pleasure meeting you Toliver."
"And yourself, Miss Amil."
"Goodnight sir."
"Goodnight miss."
I turned back to the bar to find Maven standing directly on the other side of the bar from me. "A bit of a spectacle you put on there, Luthien dear," she said quietly. "I wanted them to know I was serious, and that they shouldn't doubt me." She nodded and refilled my wineglass. "Can I take you to be an adventurer then, dear?" she asked. I grinned and nodded to her vigorously. "Well then," she queried, "might I ask your help in a personal matter?" I leaned forward, intrigued. She pulled forth from the bar a finely decorated chaise silver mug, marred by a crack in the metal the extended from the lip to the base. She winced when she looked at it.
"My favorite stein, and my finest. Cracked in a bar fight a year ago when a patron took it from my hands and lobbed it into a fixture on the wall. Ain't been allowed back since, and the local smith hasn't the skill to mend my mug. Have you any magic that might be able to fix it for me? I'd be ever so grateful if you did. I'd not charge you a cent for board here ever after miss."
She ended with a small smile and a hopeful note in her voice. I couldn't disappoint her, and wouldn't have anyway. I always keep a mending spell handy, and there was one unspent in my daily repertoire right then and there. Without further ado, I spun my fingers through the familiar, appropriate gestures and mouthed a few special words. Then I laid my hand on the side of the mug, and the fissure in its side snapped closed with whisper of sound. It jumped slightly in her hand, and she started and let out a slight cry of shock. Then she stared at the mended stein as if it had become a spider in her hand. After a minute of silence she looked at me with tears in her eyes and spoke in a whisper, "thank you dear. Oh thank you. My husband, gods rest his soul, bought this for me almost twenty years ago. It's meant so much more to me since his passing." She broke down for a moment, and I looked away so I wouldn't see and embarrass her.
After but a minute she turned back to me, and I to her, and she said again, "Thank you so much dear. Not once more shall you pay for a room in my inn, I swear it." And she smiled at me serenely, and placed her mended stein back beneath the bar. As she turned to tend to other customers I caught her hand on the bar and she turned back to me. "Think nothing of it," I said, smiling myself. She nodded her thanks once again, and I released her to go about her duties.
The night wore on, and customers drifted out. Maven cleaned up the steins and glasses, and the rest of the mess. When all was done, I asked her to show me to my room. She obliged, taking me up a flight of stairs in the corner of the room and down to the end of the hallway on the left. The room was cozy, with a window pointing out towards Kriss Lake, a bed, a wardrobe, and a bedside table with a candle sitting on it. A pair of lanterns also lit the room from their fixtures on the wall. Maven bid me goodnight, and I set my things down, undressed, and lay in the bed. After considering it for a moment, I placed an alarm on the door that would wake me if someone entered during my Reverie. With that done, I lay still and drifted off until morning.
Once I awoke, I dispelled the alarm and performed my daily calisthenics. Stretching is a fine way to begin the day, and it would prepare me for my later exertions. I dressed then, and studied my spellbook. Once I finished all of those things, I picked up my backpack, left the room locked, and went downstairs. Maven was apparently still asleep, but a young man with red hair was cooking and serving breakfast to those patrons staying at the inn who were awake. The sun had been risen for almost two full hours by that time, so it wasn't surprising to find others active already.
I took a breakfast of jellied toast and cider from the young man, whose name turned out to be Ethan. I paid the silver for it and sat at a table by a window, watching Lunas come to life. One I finished breakfast I asked Ethan how far Lunas was from Kriss Lake. After hearing it was perhaps fifteen miles, I decided to spend the day walking to the lake and exploring, then leaving in order to make it back in time to meet Toliver at his home. I had heard that there was an ancient tree-tower on a small island on the lake. This tree-tower was said to be the abandoned home of an ancient elven order of warriors called the "Eternal Blades." I wanted a glimpse of it before the day was out.
After taking stock of my food and waterskin, I bought some trail rations from Ethan to eat during the day and refilled my skin. Then I shouldered my backpack, made sure my aara was holstered firmly at my side, and left the Black Unicorn. I then followed the road out of the village and towards Kriss Lake.
The day was fine, bright and sunny with a brisk, light breeze. Animals were out in force, enjoying the spring weather. The trail was well-worn, the lake clearly a popular destination with the locals. I didn't notice any in front of me on the road, but a group of young humans and half-elves left perhaps fifteen minutes after I did. We matched paces, and they stayed equidistant to me the whole way to the lake. It was past midday when I finally arrived, and the lake glistened in the afternoon sun. The shoreline stretched out far to the northwest, and met with the trees of the Feywild in the east. Far off in the distance, I could indeed see the tower-tree that marked the island where the Eternal Blades had once made their home.
I explored the shoreline for nearly an hour and a half, eating my lunch of berries and trail biscuits. The group of youths reached the lake after a short time, and immediately began diving into the crisp lake water. We peacefully ignored each other for the whole of my stay. I found a few interesting shells in the sand, and was able to make out fish swimming just below the surface of the water in certain areas. Before long though, I felt that it was time to leave in order to be on time for my meeting with Toliver, as well as to have a meal. I left the lake, and promised myself I would come back one day, perhaps to explore the island, perhaps to swim.
The walk back to Lunas seemed to take less time than the walk to Kriss Lake. The sun began to set as I neared the village, and I stopped in the Black Unicorn in order to have a quick meal. Maven greeted me this time, and I told her of my day while I ate. I then departed with a quick goodbye and walked out into the swiftly darkening sky to find Toliver's home.
It wasn't hard to find. His description was spot on, and true to his word he was waiting for me. He waved to me when he saw me coming down the road, and I quickened my steps. "So," he said when I got within earshot, "true to your word. I respect that."
"I could say the same to you," I replied, "thank you for meeting me." He nodded and opened his front gate to allow me entrance. Toliver led me around to his back yard, where his henhouse resided. The chickens inside were docile and calm, and bedded down for the night. I noticed the rooster standing by the entrance however, as if on guard. The farmer knelt in the dirt outside the coop and showed me wolf tracks in the dirt. I'm no ranger, but I could tell there were at least three wolves, and likely more than that. "Five, you said?" He nodded grimly. "What is your plan?" he asked. I shook my hair from my eyes and stared pensively off into the fields.
"I'd rather not simply kill them," I spoke up after a minute. "Wolves must do as wolves do after all." He nodded assent again, but grimaced slightly. "I figured ye'd say that," he said gruffly. "Ye elves are known for yer fondness for animals." He shook his head. "What then will you do? Me livelihood is being threatened here, and that I canno' have." I nodded at that and answered, "my magic gives me less drastic options than bloodshed. I will wait for the wolves, and then cast a spell to put them into a trance. I will then warn them against stealing food from the village. I may also take them with me when I leave, though I am not sure how soon that may be. Does this sound acceptable to you?"
The farmer nodded once more and replied, "Aye. If it can be done, then ye'll get no complaints from me. I'll not stand in ye're way. I thank ye." I flashed him a smile and said, "Very well. Now, go inside and I shall stand guard. I will hide myself so that the wolves will not sense me, and surprise them if they appear."
"They've shown up for the last three nights," he replied. "Likely they'll show up tonight as well." He then said goodnight, and went inside his home. I then hid in the weeds near his fence, and settled in to wait. I set a mental alarm spell over the backyard and waited.
The alarm roused me from my musings some few hours later, when the entire village was surely asleep. Wolves were prowling around the back fence, slipping between the posts and circling the henhouse. The rooster was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear faint, fearful clucking from within. I stood slowly, recalling the gestures and words to the spell I was planning to use. Then I stepped forward from the weeds and coughed loudly. The wolves, five indeed, all turned towards me, taking an offensive stance low to the ground and growling at me. I pushed aside the fear that I might fail and be torn apart, and began mouthing the words to the spell. I took another step forward and held up my right hand, ticking a finger back and forth in a perfect cadence, like a metronome. I uttered the last syllable to the spell, and felt it succeed.
The wolves immediately ceased growling, all staring intently at my ticking finger as the hypnosis spell took hold. "Come," I said firmly, my tone implying strict command. They all sauntered gracefully forward and stood before me, patiently awaiting my next order. "You will no longer come near this village," I commanded. "You will hunt in the fields and the woods as is your right." They nodded as if they understood me, and subconsciously they did. I continued, "You will all obey any commands I give from this day forward. In return, I will be sure to treat you well. Hunt in the woods to the north of town, and I will find you there when I depart. You will accompany me then." The wolves bowed their heads once again, and one nudged forward slightly as if to be petted.
With that resolved, I waved my hand and pointed out towards the meadow imperiously. "Now go. Be safe, and remember my commands. Even when you awake, you will be loyal to me." Then I snapped my fingers. The pack all bowed low once more before turning tail and setting off at a relaxed lope. Once they were out of sight, I allowed my shoulders to momentarily slump and I breathed a sigh of relief. As calm as I'd seemed, the encounter with the wolves had been stressful. I'd practiced using hypnotism before, but never on quite so many creatures at once. I didn't know before now whether or not I'd be able to really pull it off, or if I'd need to resort to other measures. Now though, I felt a glowing sense of pride. I'd just successfully survived my first dangerous job as an adventurer. I'd done it! I allowed myself a moment to feel pleased with myself before reclaiming my backpack from the ground and extracting a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal. I quickly scrawled a note to Toliver informing him of my success and that he could find me at the Black Unicorn the next day. After that I left the note on his front stoop, and headed back to the inn to have my nightly rest.
The next morning I awoke from my Reverie just after dawn and went through my calisthenics, spell preparation, washed in the room's basin, and dressed for the day. When I went downstairs for breakfast, Toliver was already seated at the bar waiting for me. He smiled when he noticed me coming down the stairs and motioned for me to join him. I did with a smile, and when I ordered my breakfast from Ethan, he offered to pay for me. I accepted with as much grace as I could, and told him the story of what happened the night before. Once I'd finished, the farmer was left staring at me with something much like admiration and awe. After a moment I realized the inn had gone quiet, and I noticed the rest of the patrons were also staring at me, human and elf alike. Even Ethan was listening, although he was trying not to let on.
They all quickly recognized that I'd stopped talking and went back to their business. I felt another brief moment of glowing pride, glad to be of service. "I can't thank ye enough for saving me chickens, and me livelihood," Toliver said then. "But I can reward ye, as best as a poor farmer can. Take this," he said, and handed me a small pouch of coins. He also dropped a small agate into my hand. I nodded to him and said, "Thank you Toliver. I appreciate it." I smiled brightly at him; it was more than I'd thought I would receive, and I was truly grateful.
The farmer shook my hand then and we finished up our breakfast. Once Ethan had taken back our dishes Toliver asked, "So Luthien, are you leaving town soon or staying on for a time?"
"I plan to leave tomorrow," I answered. "I doubt I'll be staying in any one place overly long for some time yet. When my kind set out on our life's journey, we tend to wander a great deal." The man nodded and sat silently pondering for a few moments. Eventually he spoke up. "Well, I'll be sad to see ye go for sure. Ye'll look in on me and say goodbye afore ye leave, won't ye?"
"Of course I will," I answered. "I'd be a sorry friend indeed if I didn't." That brought a smile to his face. "Fine news indeed," he said brightly. "I'd like to do one more service to pay ye back before ye go. Ye needn't replenish your food supply here or anywhere else in town afore leaving, I'll have some fresh supplies ready for ye to take tomorrow, enough for a week at least. Should be enough to get ye wherever it is ye're going, right?" I smiled in gratitude and nodded to him. "Yes, that should do nicely, thank you so much! I'm planning on turning north from here, to see the mountains up close. Do you know of any towns in that direction?" The man nodded sagely and replied, "Aye, ye can find High Tower to the north and around the mountains to the east. Should be signs on the road. But be careful miss, for orcs an' goblins an' worse dwell near those parts. Got themselves snug little holes to live in up in those hills and mountains, and they like to prey on travelers and the unwary. If that's yer road, then I wish ye luck and a safe journey."
He ended rather solemnly, clearly worried for me. I very nearly reconsidered my course then and there, but I reminded myself of my training, and my experience with the wolves. I remembered also that those five wolves would be accompanying me on my journey north. I wouldn't be alone. With those things in mind, my resolve strengthened, and I felt my spine straighten slightly. "I have no fear of orcs and goblinoids," I said firmly and somewhat loudly. The attention of the inn's patrons drifted back to me at that. Unconcerned, I continued on to say, "I am a master of both the blade and the arcane arts. No monster shall hinder my progress." Leaning in and lowering my voice, I then said quietly to Toliver, "Besides, I won't be alone. The wolves, remember?" And I winked at him.
He started, taken aback. Then he looked back at me and his eyes sparkled. "Aye, I'd forgotten that for a moment," he said. "Good on ye miss. Ye're right. Let no beast stand in ye're way, and let any that do taste ye're steel. I'll not doubt ye anymore. He stood then and stretched, then said, "Well, I'd better go; my fields need tending. I'll see ye on the 'morrow?" I nodded assent and we bid each other goodbye for now.
The inn's patrons had once again returned to their own business; the buzz of conversation filled the room. I decided to send my last day in Lunas perusing the local businesses and touring the rest of the village. During that day, I visited the town's blacksmith, tailor, apothecary, and general goods store, as well as the local temple which was dedicated to both Corellon Larethian and the human deity Pelor. I took lunch at the baker's, and entertained children in the street with small displays of magic such as flashing lights and levitating small objects.
Finally, with the day near its end I retired to the inn and took my evening meal. Maven wished me luck and a safe journey, and gave me more cakes to take along. Many of the patrons of the Black Unicorn also wished me a safe journey, and thanked me for livening things up a bit. A local bard even made up a quick little tune and played it for me. It was rather thrilling to be so welcomed in a place that wasn't my home.
Eventually the night grew older, and most of the inn's customers went home. Maven cleaned up, wished me luck once again, and told me goodnight. That night my Reverie was somewhat shallow, my excitement for the open road apparent. After waking and going through my morning routine, I collected my backpack for the last time and went downstairs for my final breakfast in Lunas. Ethan had instructions from Maven that it was to be on the house, and he and the morning customers all wished me a safe road before I set out to meet with Toliver at his home again.
He greeted me at his fence once more, and handed me a week's worth of fresh provisions, just as he'd promised. I thanked him once again, and we bid each other farewell. We waved to each other as I set off down the north road out of Lunas. Now, after three days in the village, I squared my shoulders and strode once more into the wilderness.
I found my friendly pack of wolves in a large cluster of trees a mile north of Lunas. They were busy stretching and laying in the shade when I came upon them. They all leapt to their paws when they saw me coming through the trees, and ran towards me barking and yipping. I almost flinched, thinking for a moment that my spell had not been as effective as I'd believed. My fears were assuaged when I saw their tails wagging and they all crowded me, nuzzling my hands and legs looking to be petted. I laughed and petted my new friends, giving them all some attention.
After a few minutes of that I stood up straight again and looked fondly at the pack. "Sit," I called out sweetly. They all obeyed immediately, tails still wagging. "We're going north towards the mountains," I explained to them. "I want you to follow along behind me, hidden in the trees and the fields, but stay close enough to warn me of danger and protect me if need be. You may hunt when we pause for the night." The wolves nodded as if in understanding, and I smiled widely at them. "Well then," I said, turning, "let's go." The wolves stood and barked assent at me. I walked back out of the woods and onto the road, turning north once more. The pack blended into the surrounding trees and tall grasses, and I could occasionally see or hear them as they drifted from cover to cover while we went.
The day seemed to take less time to pass than I'd thought, perhaps because of my silent company. It was nice to be traveling with a group again, even if they weren't very talkative. The sun fell from the sky, and after night was on fully I stopped to make camp and give the pack time to hunt before bedding down. I needn't have worried. They were back with freshly swollen bellies just over half an hour after I released them. That night, I laid on my bedroll surrounded by wolves for a few hours before entering Reverie. It was warm and peaceful, as well as extremely comforting and relaxing.
The next day brought me to the north mountain range. I didn't know the name of the range, if it even had one. The view was breathtaking though. As the pack and I walked, the terrain changed from open fields and meadows with clusters of woodland here and there to the foothills of the mountains. Suddenly the road was nothing but hills, some of them quite steep, and the forest became the dominant force in the scenery as we left the peaceful meadows behind. We came to a fork in the road; the left path continued to the northwest along the range, whereas the right path turned due east to curve around the foremost mountain in the range.
The sun began to set as we rounded the mountain. The pack and I pressed on into the darkness further, as I was eager to reach High Tower in good time. My eagerness was tempered however, when I saw firelights in the distance. Toliver's warnings of orcs and goblinoids near the mountains flashed into my mind for a brief moment. I shook my head and straightened up. For all I knew, it was a group of travelers on the road making camp for the night. I saw no fresh tracks on the road, so I assumed they were heading in the opposite direction as I was. Still, I decided I would stop and say hello, perhaps ask to join them for the night. My mind made up, I continued on with a spring in my step.
My mind was in fact so made up; I almost didn't hear the warning growl of one of the wolves before I walked straight into the clearing unannounced. I froze in place immediately and suddenly felt very foolish. I motioned for the wolves to come to me as I crouched down and strained to listen. Voices drifted from around the fire, harsh and guttural. I shivered, though I knew not what they were saying. I had some command of the Orcish tongue, a byproduct of them being my kinds' hated rivals. The elf who'd taught me their language had also done a fair job of impersonating their accent, it seemed. Still, I was too far away and they were speaking too quietly for me to make out what they were saying. I couldn't tell exactly how many there were, but I knew there were at least three or four, maybe more.
I stalked quietly forward, trying to get a look at creatures and hear what they were discussing. My stealth skills were good enough for me to slip quietly behind a tree just outside the firelight, and I counted six orcs sitting on rolled furs around the campfire. Unfortunately, I was only able to make out the words "find more travelers" before I shifted my weight and a twig snapped under my right foot.
"Damn!" I cursed quietly and shifted my hand towards the hilt of my aara. The orcs scrambled to their feet, bringing spears and axes to bear, one of them taking up a heavy crossbow and cranking it to full draw length. The one I'd heard speaking of finding travelers pointed in my general direction as I peeked through the leaves. They must have seen me, because they started shouting and all pointed their weapons at me. One with a spear began to crash forward through the light undergrowth towards me, howling "Elf!" I stumbled back slightly and glanced about; looking for my wolves, but found them nowhere. Realizing they'd fled and I was on my own against six orcs, I cursed once more and stepped out to meet the charging orc.
I was afraid; this was my first true life and death confrontation, and as a young elf I had much life to lose. But I was also furious. Stealth had never been my strongest suit, but I'd attempted it nonetheless and failed. On top of that, these were orcs. Tales of their atrocities were among the most common told in Wrenloft when speaking of our many enemies, our gods themselves warred with each other. So my mind was once again made up. Calm descended over me as those thoughts flashed through my mind. Sweeping out from behind the tree, I lashed my aara, seeking blood and the thrill of earnest combat for the first time. I was not disappointed.
The chain and blade-segments of my weapon lashed out as quick as a flash, drawing a bright line of blood across the beast's torso as it rushed me. It's friends jeered at both it and me, calling it a coward and me a weakling. They were content to watch for a moment it seemed. The enraged orc continued its charge, and stabbed at me with its spear. I relied on my quick elven reflexes, sidestepping the thrust and moving forward so that I was behind the creature. I then spun and pulled on my aara, now limp on the ground. The whip-blade caught the orc's calf and wrapped around it, digging into the meat of its leg. I gave a swift tug, and the orc tripped, falling face-first onto the ground with its spear trapped beneath it. In no mood to play games, I pulled my dagger from its sheath with my left hand and slammed it home in the back of the beast's neck, killing it. I wiped the blade quickly on its shirt and returned it to its sheath. The remaining orcs, now behind me, were still jeering. I cursed my luck that the wolves had left, and prepared to turn and face the five orcs that were left.
And suddenly a most joyous sound broke out behind me: the sound of howling wolves, and the crash of armored orcs hitting the ground. I spun to find my pack, my dear wolf pack, attacking the orcs with terrible ferocity. I grinned fiercely; I should have remembered the favored tactics of the wolf. Two orcs were on the ground being mauled by two of my pack, the other three were still standing but being harassed by my other three wolves. The three of my pack attacking the standing orcs were rushing back and forth, hitting an orc from one side and biting at its legs and arms before circling and attacking another from behind. They ran circles around the orcs, and it was a gorgeous display of ferocity and skill. But alas, it wasn't to continue for long.
The largest orc, one with a greataxe clutched in its bloody fists, turned and lashed out as one of the pack circled up behind it. Its boot caught my wolf squarely in the side and sent it crashing into the bushes off to the side; I heard it whimper in pain. I growled deep in my throat and launched myself forward. My anger at the pain this orc had caused my friend simmered in my mind, and I lashed out at it with my aara. Dumb as the creature was, it never saw it coming. It had raised its axe to strike at another of my wolves; my strike severed both of its arms halfway between the elbow and the wrist. The creature howled in pain and looked at its new stumps as its axe fell to the dirt. It looked over at me, its eyes widening in fear. It needn't have bothered; my next strike took its head from its shoulders.
I took stock of the situation for a moment. The two orcs on the ground laid still, blood pouring from their necks. They were clearly dead or close to it. The last two orcs were busy fending off my four remaining active wolves. No way was I going to let them hurt my pack anymore. I recalled a spell that I'd prepared in case of emergency and shouted to wolves, "Move away!" The pack scattered into the bushes, and the two orcs turned to face me. "Hey!" I shouted at them in Orcish. The foul language tasted like ashes in my mouth. "Eat this!" The orcs looked at each other, confused. I made an arcane gesture with my left hand and shouted a word of power. A flash of shimmering rainbow hues burst in a wide arc from my outstretched hand and washed over the two monsters. Their eyes widened as the mind-warping light overwhelmed their sense of sight and short-circuited their brains for a time. They fell over, knocked unconscious by my color spray. "Pack," I called in Elvish, "finish them!" The four remaining wolves loped out from the trees and descended on the unconscious orcs. I didn't watch. I turned to find and tend to my wounded pack member.
The wolf was already licking its own wound when I found it in the bushes; a sprained foreleg. Most elves know the basics of veterinary medicine, and I was no exception. My poor wounded wolf reluctantly allowed me to press a numbing poultice into its ankle and wrap a bandage around it. After gingerly testing the leg and finding that it could walk well enough, the wolf was greeted by the rest of the pack with high spirits. I smiled, glad I could help, and that my actions hadn't gotten any of them killed.
The bodies of the orcs exuded a stench fouler than anything I'd ever smelled before. I covered my nose and mouth with my hand before I got too close. As disgusting as the creatures were, they'd likely have something an adventurer like me could use, and all the tales I'd heard included mention of the adventurer's most common vice: looting. So I gathered my fortitude and moved forward to rummage through the sacks and pockets of my victims.
It was fairly meager pickings. There was a smattering of silver and copper pieces, as well as a few gold coins. An expensive-looking candelabra and a set of silver flatware were also in evidence, along with the most valuable thing they had: two potions that careful scrutiny and a minor dweomer revealed to be imbued with positive energy. They were healing potions; liquid enchanted with holy magic by a cleric or other spiritual spellcaster that would cause wounds to immediately seal themselves, repairing damaged flesh with nary a scar. I clutched the precious vials of clear, glowing liquid to my chest; they would be invaluable to someone in my profession.
After tucking my newfound loot in my backpack I kicked dirt over the orc's fire and stacked their bodies into a pile. Then I released the pack to hunt while I used a spade I found in their belongings to quickly dig a shallow mass grave. I pushed them in, covered the hole, and all in the course of only an hour and a half. My clothes were bloody and covered in trail dust, so I took a nighttime dip in a nearby stream while my newly returned wolves kept watch, washing off my clothes as I did. When I finished I dried off, put on fresh clothes, hung the others up to dry, and laid out my own bedroll in another clearing a ways from the orc camp. My body was tired from a day of travel and a night of fighting and hard work; I had a small meal and entered Reverie.
When I awoke in the morning, I felt utterly rejuvenated. The reservoir of energy that spellcasters draw upon to cast their spells felt broader, deeper. My muscles thrummed with power and upon standing up, I felt as if the grace of my kind was stronger in me now more than ever before. When I opened my spellbook that morning, I flipped further into it than I did normally, researching more advanced spells that before were out of my reach. Upon trying to commit them to memory, I found that I now could. The experiences I'd had on my journey had allowed me to grow and expand my power. My mother, the masters I'd trained under, and the adventurers whose stories I'd listened so raptly to had all said the same thing: the only way to get better at a thing is to do it. I'd seen, I'd done, and I'd improved. It was a magical feeling.
The pack and I continued east, moving surely and steadily through the forested foothills of the mountains. The trail began to curve slowly northward as the day wore on, and signs on the road marked our passage: we were closing in on the town of High Tower. I whistled as I walked, feeling safe and happy, and proud of the life I was already making for myself on the road. Alas, it was too good to be true, and no one's luck lasts forever.
My first true run-in with misfortune began when one of the pack appeared next to me and nudged my hand, whining softly. I stopped and looked around. The light was only just beginning to fade to orange in the sky, and there were hours of daylight left still. The rest of the wolves were in a ring around me in the brush, alert and uneasy, their fur bristling and their ears laid back. I listened hard, and heard branches cracking not far off the road on the left-hand side. Whatever it was sounded big, likely a bear. I smiled, thinking to go and see this bear and perhaps befriend it as I had the wolves. I had seen many in my time in the Feywild after all, and none had been hostile towards my kind.
I petted the wolf beside me briefly to comfort it. "Steady now," I said gently to my pack, "we'll go see what all the racket is about." They didn't like it, but they followed me off the road and into the woods. We neared the source of the crashing sound, and the volume picked up by quite a bit. I was looking forward to seeing a bear of such massive size as this one surely was. I'd forgotten that I was not in the Feywild anymore, and my previous good fortune had lulled me into a false sense of security. It almost got me killed.
A shadowy figure roughly the size and shape of a bear came into view, and I quickened my pace. As I rounded a tree and came into the same partial clearing the animal was in I started to greet it. "Hello, my frie-. " The words caught in my throat. The creature facing me was roughly the size and shape of a large bear. Its coat was yellow-brown and ragged, and looked more like feathers than fur almost. It had claws like a bear, but they appeared longer and sharper, like the talons of a bird. And there was no bear's head on its shoulders; it had the head of a large and evil-looking horned owl, with a sharp ivory-colored beak. This was not a peaceful creature of the woodland; this was a monstrous magical hybrid that thrived on carnage: an owlbear.
I stumbled back into the tree I'd just walked around. The creature heard me suck in a panicked breath as I did, and it turned to eye me hungrily. It stood up on its hind legs and opened its beak to roar at me like a bear, waving its talons at me. But instead of the powerful roar of a bear, the high-pitched shriek of a hunting owl came from the beast's beak. The sound was enough to make me back into the tree again. I tried to pull myself together as it dropped back onto all fours and started to pad towards me. My limbs were frozen with shock and fear; I couldn't move! Suddenly the owlbear stopped in midstride and cocked its head, sniffing. All at once, howling broke out from all sides as my wolves once again demonstrated their favorite tactic. The five of them rushed in from the surrounding bushes, nipping at the creature's legs and haunches, forcing it to turn and try to defend itself. They bloodied its flanks, but that only angered it.
The owlbear shrieked again and swept its claws in a wide arc, catching one of the pack and flinging the wolf into a tree. The wolf yelped and lay whimpering on the ground, clearly wounded. The creature struck again, its talons opening a wide gash in the flank of one of my friends. They were losing, and the beast wasn't slowing down at all. I snapped back to reality, forcing myself to act. I drew my aara and recalled a spell that would protect me from the creature's powerful blows. My remaining three active wolves (the one with the gash limped over to its fallen brethren and lay beside it) successfully harried the owlbear without any further injuries while I cast my spell. An arcane gesture and a few choice words later an invisible disc of force sprang into existence, floating before me like a shield. I snapped my whipsword once to limber it and stepped forward, lashing out at the beast. I drew a long line of blood across its shoulder, causing it to refocus its attention on me. It didn't matter; my fear had turned to fury, and I was ready for this fight.
It let out another shriek and charged towards me, so I decided to make it pay for the two wolves it had wounded. I let my aara trail across the ground and dashed to the side. The bulky owlbear slid to a halt and turned back towards me, eyes ablaze with blind rage. I grinned savagely and yanked on my weapon; it coiled and wrapped itself around the owlbear's leg, digging into its flesh. The beast stopped in its tracks and began pulling at the blade. I was happy to oblige in the impromptu tug-of-war game it wanted, so I tightened my grip on the aara's hilt and pulled as hard as I could. Imagine my surprise when the tugging sensation lessened almost immediately, and my whipsword sheared the creatures right foreleg clean off.
I laughed and smiled a bloody smile. "How do you like that!?" I called out at the monster. It shrieked in pain and fury; my wolves, standing back but smelling blood, howled with glee. Then the owlbear focused on me once more and charged forward, standing up on its hind legs again and swiping at me with its remaining claw. The powerful blow was too swift and unexpected for me to avoid, but my shield spell was still in place. The creature's talons struck sparks off of the force projection in the air, and I took the opening provided. I whipped my aara at the owlbear with all my might, scoring a hit across its midsection.
Once again it shrieked, and lunged forward at me. It toppled over, falling on me. The shield hovered before me still, but I was knocked to the ground. My spell held the beast above me, and it started thrusting its beak at my exposed face and neck. I squirmed and struggled, dodging left and right, my aara useless at this angle. My wolves came forward, attacking the hind legs of the beast once more, and they distracted it enough for me to drop my whipsword and pull my dagger from its sheath. When the owlbear turned back to face me again, I stabbed it in one bulging yellow eye. My blade bit in deep and true, finding the creature's brain. It slumped forward with my dagger protruding from its face, finally dead.
I slowly and carefully slid out from beneath my shield, letting the monster slide off of it as it rose with me. Not needing it any longer, I dispelled the effect. Observing the effects of the fight on my wolves saddened me. One of the two injured was limping but otherwise unharmed, matching its brethren who had managed to avoid injury this time. The wolf with the gashed flank was in worse condition though. It had lost much blood, and healing magic is outside the purview of arcane casters. The whimpering and obvious pain of my companion moved me. I gave the wounded wolf a healing potion, pouring it down the animal's throat. The glowing liquid did it's work; almost immediately the large wounds began to steam slightly and seal themselves. My wolf stopped making pained noises and after only moments stood up and walked to me, licking my face. The others all joined in, glad of my assistance.
The moment was bittersweet for me. My actions had nearly resulted in these animals' deaths. I stood and took a minute to think before turning back towards the road and motioning for the pack to follow me. Upon reaching the road once more I tarried, still unhappy with my decision, but resolute just the same. I sighed and turned to my pack, and they gathered around me eagerly with their tongues and tails wagging. "My friends," I said quietly, "I'm afraid you have to leave me." The wolves ears drooped at that and the wagging stopped. A couple of them whined. I went on, "Three of you have been hurt while traveling with me. I can't have that, and I don't wish for more harm to come to you because of me. So leave. Return to your former hunting grounds and be at peace. But remember to stay away from the village." The pack looked sad and dejected; they were being dismissed. The fact that it was for their protection meant little. I blinked tears from my eyes and gestured widely with my hand. "I have enjoyed your company and appreciated your help greatly. But you must go now. Away with you, my friends. Goodbye."
My wolves padded over to me, and I patted their heads and scratched their ears as they licked my hands. Then they turned away from me regretfully, looking back every few dozen yards as they loped away back to the south. I wiped my eyes and spun on my heel, continuing north on the road. I heard howling far in the distance behind me that night, and my eyes teared up again for a moment. I was alone on the road once more.
I continued on far into the night, and made camp alongside the road when I finally stopped. The next day I was tired and sore, as my Reverie was restless and disturbed without the pack around me. Even in the short time they had been with me, I had become used to their presence. My journey that day was uninterrupted, punctuated only by my brief meals. All the while High Tower was getting closer and closer. Finally as the light of the day began to fade once more, I saw lights flickering in the evening light far ahead. My heart leapt, and the weariness of the journey was shed from my shoulders. I quickened my pace and within the hour came before the great gates of High Tower.
There were no outlying farms here, and the entire town seemed to be surrounded by a fortress wall of tree trunks planted side-by-side vertically in the ground, the tops sharpened like stakes. The wood was stained a peculiar shade of orange-brown; upon further scrutiny I recognized it as an alchemical solution meant to render the wood less flammable. Two human guards stood outside the large wooden gates wielding pikes and bucklers, wearing chain mail with shortswords belted at their sides. Torches in brackets lit the outside, and more guards with bows and crossbows could be glimpsed through the points of the wall and standing watch in guard towers placed periodically around it. They stared out into the forest surrounding the town, watching vigilantly for threats. The town was much larger than Lunas; almost the size of some of Wrenloft's districts.
I strode purposefully up to the two outside guards with a spring in my step. They looked at me curiously; night had fallen and travelers are much less common at nighttime. "State your business," the one on the left said firmly. His mustache twitched as he spoke. "I am Luthien Amil," I said, bowing my head respectfully. "I seek a bed for the night, and work for one of my talents." The mustachioed guard looked me over carefully and asked, "You an adventurer?" I nodded politely. "Then you can find rest at the Red Dragon Inn, and likely work as well. If not, try the mage's tower or the lord's mansion perhaps. Make no trouble, and you'll be welcome. Got that?"
"Yes, I understand," I replied. "Very well," he nodded. Then he pounded twice with his fist on the gate. "Open up!" he called, and stepped to the side along with his companion. The gates started to swing open, and I smiled to the guards before stepping through. At last, I had made it.