Session+91

** Session 91** **7-9-2016** **On the Isle of Evermeet, a Stop on the Journey to Lantan**

A perfect blue green sea held elegant structures beneath the water. Sea elves resided in the underwater city.

*Note* Gold Elves / High Elves / Sun Elves = golden skinned with white / gold / pale blonde hair. Silver Elves / Moon Elves = pale / ivory / bluish tinged skin with darker hair and jewel colored eyes Sea Elves / Aquatic Elves = the rarest of the elves = blue or green skinned with purple / blue / green hair Wild Elves / Sylvan / Wood Elves = hair the color of the different seasons of leaves

As the group walked toward the queen's city, they discussed elven history. Araushnee was an elven goddess and a consort of Corellion. She betrayed her fellows with the aid of Ghaunadaur, Malar, Gruumsh, and Vhaeraun when they invaded Arvandor, the elven heavens. Araushnee was renamed to Llolth and cast into the abyss. Eilistraee chose to share in their punishment, knowing that the drow would need her light in the times to come.

15,000 years ago when elves were the only main race... a clan of elves known as Etheri warred with the other elves on the mainland continent. The etheri were followers of Llolth. She sent down Malar to give them aid. The elves bred with demons creating the fey'ri who were aggressive and violent spreading much bloodshed. They managed to conquer the other elves, and Corellion cursed them for their butchering. He darkened their skin, making sunlight hurt them which drove them underground... and these elves became known as the drow... in some respects believing they were punished for being successful. There were several more crown wars... elves vs elves... and later against the orcs and other races.

4000 years ago a group of humans found the nether scrolls that gave them a seemingly unlimited supply of arcane knowledge. They set up in Anauroch becoming the netherese. Others fought them, sending in grubs that ate magic called the phaerimm. In their war against the phaerimm, the land started dying, eventually creating the Anauroch desert. Karsus was one of these netherese. He was the one who tried to take the divinity from Mystryl in hope to become a god to fix the lands. Things went horribly wrong and Mystryl sacrificed herself to save the weave. Magic was lost to the world, crashing the Netherese cities to the ground. The end of the Netherese empire. Karsus turned to stone and shattered. A couple of the cities who followed Shar retreated to the planes of shadow before the fall... being the only ones to survive. They later reappeared causing havoc in Sembia.

The group was finishing their discussion on history as they made their way up to a large city of several magnificent golden towers stretching up. It was a ground city rather than a city built into the trees. As they walked up the road, they were met by 6 elven guards dressed in magnificent gleaming mail and riding horses. One of the guards nodded to Wren, speaking in elven, "Lady Dreamspinner, I presume? Eliath sent us word that you would be arriving." The young elven witch offered them a curtsy and nodded, "Indeed I am Wren Dreamspinner. These are my companions." She gestured to each of the group, introducing them.  The guard nodded to each in turn, "I have been tasked by the queen to escort you to the palace myself. She wishes to meet the daughter of Raven and the son of Lionspaw... and of course she has heard tales of each of your exploits." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"We would be honored to speak with her," Wren nodded back. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Switching to a common tongue, the guard smiled... a couple of them looking directly at Thorn, "We can expect your best behavior?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Of course," Wren answered, ignoring their accusing stares at her halfling companion. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thorn answered in elven beside her, "You can expect the utmost respect from me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The initial elven guard nodded to him. A couple of sun elf guards rolled their eyes and exchanged looks with each other as if to say Oh look... the halfling is trying to speak a civilized language. How cute. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren stood tall with her companions, casting a glance at the sun elves as though they should be ashamed for such an action.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The guards escorted the group down the road and Thorn heard a voice in his head, "Don't take it too bad. The goldies are kind of snooty." The young halfling looked around to notice one of the horses carrying one of the golds was looking at him. Wren asked a few questions of the leading guard, getting a small tour for her and her companions as they walked. The sea elves resided in the water and were a line of defense for the island should anyone actually make it this far. Linked together by sparkling bridges of magic, several tall towers stood in the city... the arcane towers of the Grand Mage Breithel Olithir. There were several glowing homes of nobles around the palace where an immense statue of Corellion stood in the center of town. Strangely there were no other races in the city... it was strictly elven. Half of the population being sun elves and the other half moon elves with a few sylvan and sea elves. As the group walked through the city, the guards surrounded them and Shri pulled her cloak around herself. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The city was incredibly clean... there wasn't such a thing as a dark alley here.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">They went into the receiving room of the palace, crystalline stained glass depicting great stories of elven heritage. Sprites drifted lazily around the columns. An elaborate throne had a half dozen female elves dressed in burnished gold armor with burgundy capes. Vines were carved into the armor along with a symbol of a heart. In one swift motion, they raised up long horns to announce their arrival. They drew their long curved blades, raising them up to form an archway to walk through. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">A very old elf with wrinkles in his skin and wispy hair, walked over to them with a staff topped with a golden lion's head. His voice was still strong as he spoke, "Introducing Lady Wren Dreamspinner, Kale Bloodwhisper, Thorn, Chieftain Posy Earthshaker, Uther and Ursus of the Red Bear Clan, Maliumpkin Bramblethorn, Lord Azarius Chaat, High Priestess Shrizyne Zau'zynge, and of course, Lord Erevindal Lionspaw." He spoke the final name with a proud smile on his face. Even in his ancient visage, they could see his family resemblance to Erevin. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">He turned to the group, gesturing toward the throne, "Might I introduce her majesty... blessed of Corellion, leader of the seldarine. The leader of the elves, Amaril Moonflower." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The female elven guards sheathed their blades, ringing out a metallic hum as they went to one knee. The others of the court room also went to one knee before their queen... all of the group following suit. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The queen was a moon elf of exquisite beauty, "Welcome visitors to Evermeet. Lord Eliath sent word that you would be coming and your need. I look forward to hearing tales of your exploits. My agents in the east have told me some of your tales, but I would like to hear it from you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"It is a great honor to meet you, my lady. We would love to fill your ears with our many tales," Wren answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"And so you shall," Amaril smiled, "I shall throw a grand banquet in your honor this evening and introduce you to the nobles of the city. There will be feasting, music, dancing, and merriment." She paused, looking at Thorn's widening eyes, "You look concerned young halfling. Is there a problem?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren laughed softly, "Forgive us, your majesty, but banquets and celebrations haven't always gone well in the past." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"But you are in the heart of Evermeet," Amaril assured them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Of course you are right... it is safe here," Wren smiled, barely able to hold the words 'for now' back from her truthful lips. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"What could go wrong?" Thorn smiled innocently beside her.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Very well," Lady Moonflower nodded, "I have rooms prepared for each of you. Prepare yourselves as you need. If you wish to travel into the city, guides have been made available to you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Excellent! You are most generous," Wren nodded her appreciation, "Is there a bath house available?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"There is a bath in each of your rooms," Amaril nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The group blinked in surprise and nodded their thanks. They were escorted up to their rooms by a gleaming mithril armored guard, "We have rooms prepared for you. What will be the rooming accommodations that you will need?" Most in the palace seemed curious about the gnome, halflings, and humans in the group. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren nodded, "We'll need 6 rooms. One for Erevin and Shri, one for Posy and Uther, one for Thorn, one for Mali and Ursus, one for Azarius, and one for Kale and I." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Very well," the guard bowed, escorting them up some winding stairs to giant rooms... each had a bedroom area with a magnificent bed of silken sheets, a receiving area with a table and chairs, and a large section of golden mirrors with a marble bath in the floor that curved out onto a balcony. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren looked around and glanced back at Kale, "I'm going to need a room like this always."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">There was a wardrobe in each of the rooms with several selections inside to each of their sizes along with jewelry and accessories. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Posy looked at Uther, "Pick something out so that your armor will fit underneath." The barbarian looked over the clothing and back to his gnome lover, "I don't think that's going to work for any of this..." "Then we're just going in armor," Posy nodded to him. He tilted his head, "You would disrespect the Queen of Evermeet like that?" Posy shrugged, already sitting in one of the chairs and cleaning her armor, "Just in case." "Wouldn't Erevin think that..." Uther started. Posy shook her head, interrupting him as she polished and shined her armor, "He'll understand knowing our past."

A bucket of chilled wines and plates of fruit sat on the tables. Kale looked through the wardrobe, "What should I wear? I'm sure you'd like to coordinate?" "Of course," Wren nodded, "How do you feel about going in your armor?" Despite all the trouble they faced, she didn't usually ask him to wear armor to the celebrations... he looked her over thoughtfully and smiled, "I don't think that will be necessary. This is Evermeet. We haven't seen anything but elves on the entire island... how do you think anything will even get here?" Wren shook her head, "I don't know... but how well do you think the nobles here are going to take to our... interracial party? How warm do you think their welcome will be?" Images of Shri pulling her cloak around herself and the guards surrounding them through the city, blocking the view of any would-be onlookers. He laid a soft hand on her shoulder, "They might be a little snooty... but I doubt they're going to stab us in the back or anything." "What about Shri?" she argued with a raised eyebrow. "Welll... I'm sure the queen has explained the situation," he nodded to her. She nodded, "And I'm sure everyone will show their best etiquette behavior." He smiled, "If you want me to wear my armor, I will." She nodded, "I think I would feel better... but if you don't wear it, I think we should at least bring it along in a bag." He laughed softly, "It's like you've been scarred." "Welllll... maybe a little," she smiled and nodded. A warm temperate breeze floated in from off of the balcony as she flipped through the provided dresses, choosing something quite daring in a pale silvery green that complimented the shiny armor that Kale wore. She looked down at the narrow-eared black fox at her side, "Inali, how would you like to dress formally tonight? You'll look less like a witch's familiar." The young fox sneezed turning into her kitsune form and happily started looking through dresses.

Shri dressed in very formal priestess attire bearing Eilistraee's symbols and moonlit glittery white. Erevin dressed formally, representing the colors of Myth Coramanth wearing both the symbols of Corellion and Eilistraee. The young drow priestess assured him that Eilistraee had sent other drow before her to the isle of Evermeet, but they don't stay very long... as it would likely be asking for trouble.

A magnificent view of the bay could be seen from the balconies. The baths were magnificent with runed stones to adjust the temperature warmer or colder. Scented oils and several bath salts and soaps were provided Azarius dressed in formal sorcerer robes in his family colors.

Thorn flipped through the clothing provided in the wardrobe noting that there wasn't a single pocket in any of it. Frowning, he chose a formal looking outfit that still provided the freedom of movement he felt most comfortable in. A sophisticated elven voice came from the direction of the table, "That looks spectacular, sir. You look quite the dashing figure." Thorn spun around, "Who's in my room?" A platinum teapot stylized with an elven face blinked its eyes at him, "I've taken the liberty of brewing you some tea to calm your nerves before the party." "I think I'm going to need some strong tea," the halfling shook his head, walking nearer to the table and looking the teapot over cautiously. "Very well, sir. Just tip me over into one of those cups there," the teapot answered. "Um... Okay... It isn't going to hurt you, is it?" Thorn asked as he looked at the item closer, picking it up. "Not at all, sir. I'm made to do so," the teapot assured him. "Why are you talking to me? You're a teapot," the young rogue stared at the strange item in his hands, "How are you sentient?" "I was given life by the grand wizard, Breithel Olithir, to serve as your personal teapot," it answered. "That is rather... kind of him," Thorn nodded, watching the tea pour into a cup as it tipped the teapot. "Indubitably," the teapot agreed. Sipping his tea, Thorn looked around the room to see faces in the candelabra and other items in the room. The items were perfectly normal in everyone else's rooms...

The afternoon was delightful with long luxurious baths and relaxing before everyone dressed for the evening and elven servants came to escort them down to the ballroom where the murmuring of a crowd could be heard in the distance. Elves were dressed in beautiful silken attire and gleaming armor. Some of the armor seemed more decorative and pretty, but some was functional. White ash wood tables were set up and minstrels played music. Fine elven cuisine and exotic seafood was on several platters on all of the tables. Whispering went through the crowd as the group arrived... humans, halflings, a gnome, and a drow. The same elder elf used his lion-headed staff to thump on the ground, carrying a wave through the room that quieted everyone down. He nodded, "Queen Moonflower has invited these guests from the east this evening..." he continued by introducing each of the party members. The queen stood and rose her glass and everyone followed by raising their glasses. The group was sent to the right half of the Queen's table to join in the feast. On the left half were several noble looking elves.

"Welcome Lord Erevin," Amaril nodded, addressing each of the companions, "I would like to introduce you all to my council." She gestured to an elder gold elf dressed in sorcerer's robes, "This is the Grand Mage Breithel Olithir." A near solar system of twinkling various colored ioun stones rotated around his head as the elder elf nodded to the group in greeting. Erevin recognized his name from some of Attalicus's mentionings. <span style="display: block; display: inline !important; font-size: 12.8px;">She gestured to a sea elf dressed in dark blue, "This is Emardin Elsydar, the High Admiral of my fleet." He looked slightly uncomfortable being out of the water, but seemed to be managing as he too nodded his greeting. She gestured to the third man on her left, a gold elf, "This is Roh'um Ocneia. He is Emardin's lieutenant. I invited him here this evening as he will be the captain of the ship that takes you to Lantan." The group could easily see his family resemblance to Corsha as they thanked him for taking on the task. She gestured to a moon elf dressed in black with raven hair, a hooked nose, and piercing violet eyes, "This is Keryth Blackhelm, the High Marshall of the city." A beautiful sun elf woman sat next at the table, "This is Selsharra Durothil, a member of the noble houses." Ageless with experienced eyes, she clearly seemed to be eyeing Shri with suspicion. An elder moon elf woman with wrinkles in her skin and her faded blue hair had white streaks in it, "This is Rina Thaldain of the noble houses, one of the few remaining of her family on the island." "And last but not least," Amara smiled as the elder sun elf with lion-headed staff made his way over to sit at the end next to Rina, "My scribe, Zaltarish Lionspaw." Erevin recognized the name as his great grandfather who he had never met. He nodded with respect to his ancestor.

As they dined, the queen nodded to Erevin, "How is Myth Coramanth faring? I've received a few snippets from your mother, but she is not the most prolific of writers... I believe the last letter told of you joining the rangers years ago." Erevin smiled, "She is more a woman of action." "And you carry a moonblade not of the Lionspaw name... the Mithrin moonblade," Amara looked him over. "Yes, the Winter's Star," he nodded, "Coronal Lionspaw still wields the family moonblade, and I hope that she continues to do for centuries to come..." He told her the story of Szass Tam from Thay supposed turning many drow into undead, and joining with with a dragon called Magmadon, they had attacked Myth Coramanth ... but with the aid of several from Impiltur, they were able to save the city. Amara took it all in, interested in the tale and victory for their people, "It is an interesting time in Evermeet... with so many elves settling in Sun's Heart, Myth Coramanth, Gray Hills, and now more recently the forest of Cormanthor... it has left many places here uninhabited. When I announced the retreat centuries ago, we had to build to support the population... but now many of those are vacant." 75 - 80% of the elven population still resided on the isle...

Erevin went on to tell her the story of the tree that sprouted when the avatars of the gods came to speak with them. Interested in the tale, she nodded, "There are many priests and priestesses of Corellion who may like to make a pilgrimage." "It is worth going to see," Wren assured her.

When Ghandahaur's name came up in the stories, the queen's attention seemed heightened. It was a name associated with the betrayal in Arvandor so long ago... She said that she had heard some recent rumors of Ghandhaur's reappearance. Amara nodded to the non-elf members of the group, "I trust you have found your rooms to be adequate to your needs?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn's shoulders sagged slightly and he nodded with a hint of annoyance in his tone, "Yes... adequate." Olithir nodded proudly to the rogue halfling, "I'm glad that you have found your room adequate. I personally spared no expense to be sure that your room was adequate, Lord Thorn." Thorn raised an eyebrow at the grand sun elf mage, "I thank you for all of your time and effort to make my room so... adequate." "Of course, a friend of The People deserves only the very best," Olithir nodded. Erevin smirked, "How //is// Eliath?" "Yes," the arrogant grand mage nodded to the ranger prince, "Fortunately Eliath was very... descriptive... when he sent word that you all were coming." Erevin laughed and nodded. "I'll be sure to thank him," Thorn grumbled. "Indeed," Breithel Olithir nodded back to Thorn, "I believe that you have met my great granddaughter...?" Thorn stood speechless staring at the old mage as he suddenly recognized some familial similarities between the old man and the buxom young elven woman who hung on him in Waterdeep.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "She sent me along a letter saying what a delightful gentleman you were," Olithir continued on as the color drained from the young halfling's face. "H-how very kind of her... sir," Thorn answered, finally swallowing, and nodded more confidently, "She's a delightful young woman." "She helps Lord Eliath in Waterdeep... I had wanted to train her in the magic arts, but I found that she,,, didn't have the aptitude for such things," the mage frowned for a moment, but then nodded, "Though she has many other talents... Wouldn't you agree?" "I'm certain she does, sir. I don't know that I could personally attest to all of her... talents... but I'm sure she's quite skilled... sir," the rogue young halfling smiled. Olithir nodded, "Well please give her my regards the next time you're in Waterdeep," "I will be sure to do that," Thorn nodded.

The dinner went on for several hours... exchanging tales and feasting on many delicious foods and desserts. "We should retire to the veranda for dancing?" Amara suggested and everyone nodded in agreement. The stars were bright in the night sky and several bards were united playing slow delicate music for the occasion. Kale swept Wren into his arms and across the dance floor with grace and confidence. Wren blinked in pleasant surprise, following his steps as he took a more dominant role as they wove a beautiful dance. She flashed him a wide smile, "What's gotten into you today?" "Must've been the baths earlier," he winked one of his green eyes at her, making her laugh and nod. Erevin twirled Shri easily across the floor, the two of them practically gliding under the moonlight. Posy and Uther danced together quietly in their own corner of the veranda, finding the light and slow music easier to dance to.

Thorn stood along the edge with both hands in his own pockets as he watched the others dance. A tap on his shoulder caused him to jump and spin quickly to meet the eyes of Rina Thaldain. The elder elf smiled at him, "It seems a shame that you're not out there dancing, Master halfling... Would you care to show a mature woman the honor of this dance?" "If you will allow me one courtesy to you," he nodded to her, donning his human mask that made him grow in height. "Ahh," she smiled in surprise, "That //will// make it easier." He escorted her to the dance floor, the long legs feeling strange. "You don't seem used to this magic," she smiled, "But I appreciate the gesture. You are truly a gentleman." "I do what I can, my lady," he smiled and continued to dance slowly with her. "I am a little curious," the elder elven woman leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Really? The high mage's granddaughter?" "I didn't know who she was," Thorn answered, shaking his head.

"I think they called her the Waterdeep tramp, didn't they?" Erevin's voice came by as he and Shri swept across the dance floor. "Erevin, you shut your dirty royal mouth!" Thorn whipped his head to the side to shush his companion as danced with the elder noblewoman. He could hear Shri laugh as the two couples parted ways again across the dance floor. "She is a lovely girl," Rina nodded to Thorn as though nothing had just happened, "I believe Olithir is disappointed that she didn't have the aptitude to carry on the magic lineage, but I assure you he dotes on her quite a great deal." Thorn sighed inwardly.

Posy and Uther swept by in their dance, the young gnome's teasing voice carrying over to him, "You're going to have to marry her now." Before Thorn could retort, Rina blinked with surprise, "Really? Have you proposed yet?" Posy's merry laughter carried in the distance as Uther swept her in the opposite direction. "Look at the time," Thorn replied, shaking his head, "I've got to go." "Ahh, I didn't mean to keep you up. Does your race normally go to bed early? The moon has only just risen," Rina looked him over curiously. "I do apologize," the young halfling nodded, stepping back a little at a time, "I have things that I must see to in the morning. Thank you for the dance." "Well thank you again. You've been such a gentleman. I'm sure Lady Amaritha Olithir is in good company," Lady Thaldain nodded, excusing him. Amaritha? Wasn't her name Bambi? ...Thorn could practically see the conversation between the buxom woman and Eliath... something along the lines of "While you're here, you should go by the name of Bambi... it's a term of honor and respect among the humans." - followed by a bubble headed cheerful laugh and agreement.

--- Erevin kept Shri close as he made his way over to a table where Zaltarish was dabbing a quill into an inkwell, an open book on the table before him. Scrolls of words ran coinciding with skillfull sketches of the human Thorn dancing with Lady Rina and other such events of the night. The elder Lionspaw looked up and smiled as they approached, "Ahh, great grandson, how are you tonight?" "Very well," Erevin answered, nodding, "May we join you?" "Certainly," Zaltarish gestured to the chairs across from him, "Pull up a seat." He set his quill back into it's inkwell and poured Erevin and Shri each a glass of wine. "You'll have to forgive me... I do not dance as well as I did in my youth, but I do so enjoy seeing the young people dance in the moonlight. It brings back fond memories." "Of course," Erevin nodded, taking a seat next to Shri and accepting the wine, "The truth is that I know very little about you." The elder elf nodded, "It is not too surprising. I have been in Evermeet all my life. I have never traveled to the east. My son was the first of us to travel to the mainland. Since then I have live vicariously through my family's exploits. My wife passed on to Arvandor some centuries ago." "I'm sorry to hear that," Erevin spoke with sad sincerity. She would have been his great grandmother.

Zaltarish smiled and nodded, "But I have my duty now... as the scribe to the queen. There are many worthwhile things here in Evermeet." His eyes wandered to Rina for a moment after she parted ways with Thorn. "It is more beautiful than I even thought," Erevin nodded, noting the interest of the elder woman. "I'm afraid I don't have all that many rousing tales of heroism or daring for you... although I did serve among the guard to king Zoarr, Amara's husband, centuries ago... but that was quite a long time ago." "Certainly your days are filled with intrigues of the court," the young elven prince nodded. "Things have been rather placid here in Evermeet... though their are those who long for words from the mainland. There have been some disagreements here as well... those gold elves were not pleased with the return of so many elves to the continent. They feel that it weakened Evermeet where we were consolidated and maintained our way of living without the interference of... other races," Zaltarish replied.

"Do you catch the brunt of that since your granddaughter led much of the return?" Erevin asked as he looked the elder man over with concern. "Yes, well... it certainly hasn't enhanced my status here... though they can not show too much displeasure since I am a sun elf as well," he nodded and gestured toward the elder woman who caught his eye before, "Lady Thaldain does as well, though it is worse for her being a moon elf. Her family has also returned to the east." "I'm sorry for that," Erevin frowned, "But for every insult you may hear here... Know that you would be heralded as a hero in Myth Coramanth. My mother is held in very high regard." "Indeed," Zultarish smiled, "When the Embermoons left they did not leave any of their family here in Evermeet. That caused quite a stir, but they needed all of the help that they could muster." "I have heard it has been nearly 100 years since the elves have been in the palace... to know that they have pushed such foul beast and demons from our ancestral home... my heart swells with pride," Erevin nodded.

"Indeed," the elven scribe agreed, "I only wish that we had more contact. It is, as I said, difficult to get information from the mainland other than those missives that Eliath passes on to us." "Let me see what I can do," Erevin offered. "It is a difficult thing... the more paths and ways in... the more difficult to protect. It is a hot topic among many of the golds," Zultarish replied. "I'm certain," the young pale-blonde elf replied.

"I'm sure that your mellon (elvish for friend/companion) is causing quite the stir here," the elder Lionspaw smiled toward Shri, "And I am interested to know how my great grandson came to be involved with such a lovely young worshiper of Eilistraee." Erevin smiled, gesturing to the beautiful drow at his side, "Shrizyne Zau'zynge... We met as children in Myth Coramanth... not long after my mother helped Evermeet against the drow. The queen was kind enough to make her coronal and one of her companions, Yilithor, was a worshiper of Eilistraee. So many of the worshipers of Eilistraee fled to Myth Coramanth where they were welcomed. We met as children and I am fortunate enough to have caught her eye." "Perhaps this evening if she has some time... I would love to make a drawing of her," Zultarish looked at both of them. Shri smiled and nodded, "I'm sure we can arrange that. It is very kind of you sir." "Of course," Erevin agreed. --

Wren approached the sea elf from Amara's court, introducing herself. Emardin Elsydar led her out onto the dance floor. He was handsome and graceful, but he did seem to be marginally stiff being on dry land. He laughed softly, "I do apologize, my lady, this dancing on land is still a little difficult for me... but certainly if you have the chance to visit the sea elves in the bay... I would be happy to dance with you again in the water." "Oh! You dance in the water?" the young witch asked, intrigued. "Indeed," he answered, "It gives much more freedom of movement." "That sounds very fun! I am a water witch, you know," Wren winked one of her golden eyes and flashed him a charming smile. "I had a sense of that," he nodded and then gestured toward the adorable kitsune playing with the wisps at the edge of the veranda, "Is that your daughter?" Wren laughed softly, "Inali is one of my very best friends. We've been together for quite some time." "She seems very magical," the sea elf admiral watched her curiously as Inali threw grapes up in the air and caught them in her mouth."   "Not the most etiquette of young ones... but she is amazing," Wren laughed softly, "I'm quite lucky to know her."

"I am not familiar with the Dreamspinner family... you come from the east?" Emardin asked as they continued to dance. "Yes," the raven-haired elven woman nodded, "My grandmother came from the original city in the Cormanthor forest and my mother resides in Myth Coramanth... and you are the first sea elf I've ever met." "There are a few of us in the Sea of Falling Stars, but most of us stay in the deep waters of the sea... so it is not uncommon for you to've not met any of us," he replied. Wren could see the slight slits in the sides of his neck where his gills were closed. There was likely a magic altering the webbing on his hands and boots covered his feet. "I've heard that you are in need of one of our fastest ships to take you the islands of the gnomes?" he asked her. "Lantan, yes," the young witch nodded.

"I hope that you will find the Osprey to be adequate. It has my finest captain, Roh'um Ocneia," he nodded to her. "Yes... I am most interested in that family," Wren nodded, "We met a young woman named Corsha Ocneia on the Sea of Fallen Stars." He grimaced, "That is not a name that I would bring up here at Court... especially not to Roh'um. She was banished from Evermeet." "Really?" she asked with interest as they danced closely. "Yes, quite the scandal," he nodded, "He disowned her. I'm surprised that she still uses that name." "Disowned?" Wren frowned, "That seems pretty severe... what would make a man disown his daughter?" "She was a sea sorceress that was assigned to one of the naval vessels of one of Queen Moonflower's sons," he answered, "A storm had come upon the ship that she had not foreseen or able to stop... the ship was sunk with all aboard save for her who had barely survived." "Such a tragedy," Wren's sincere voice was saddened as she shook her head. "Indeed... The prince's life was lost and it brought great shame to him... She was supposed to be one of the great prodigies of Grand Mage Olithir... which is why she was given the opportunity of a royal vessel," the sea elf admiral continued. Wren frowned... she herself had made a great many mistakes along their way... they all had at one time or another. She looked at him curiously as she asked, "She was banished because they blamed her for not seeing the storm?" "And moreso because she could not stop it," he answered. "I see," Wren nodded, adding, "Are you sure it was a natural storm? It sounds awfully strange..." "It probably wasn't natural," he agreed, "It was likely an attack by someone." For a moment the young witch looked to argue the point further, but instead simply nodded, "A tragedy none the less." Emardin nodded in agreement, "Yes, Captain Ocneia is bitter about it still." "Such a shame... His daughter seems quite nice," Wren shrugged. The handsome sea elf nodded and continued to dance with her across the floor. --

Azarius made a few rounds, socializing with the elven noblewomen who were taken by his exotic human features. One young noblewoman danced with him gracefully, "What's it like to be a human? You live so short... I mean you're not going to drop dead and die on me are you?" The handsome sorcerer chuckled and shook his head, "Seeing as how I've stopped aging... no." She looked him over as they danced and wrinkled her brow, "Is clammy skin common among humans?" "I'm rather partial to the water," he shrugged his shoulders casually. "Oh! Are you a sea-human?" she asked suddenly excited and curious. Azarius smiled and nodded thoughtfully, "Yes... yes, that is a great way to describe me." "Oh! I've learned something new today," she beamed happily as they danced across the floor.

Thorn returned to the room provided for him, closing the door behind him. A familiar voice spoke with cheerful sophistication, "Welcome back, sir! Did you enjoy the party?" "Hello... teapot," Thorn sighed and nodded a greeting to the face engraved dishware on the table. "Would you like some soothing and warm tea, sir?" the teapot asked cheerfully. Thorn nodded, "Actually I would love some... something nice and calming." The teapot whistled steam through it's spout, "There we are, sir, just pour me into a cup." "Excellent," Thorn poured the tea into a cup, adding a little whiskey to it before taking a drink. "Oh I wont tell a soul, sir," the teapot announced as it watched him add the alcohol. "Thanks, teapot," the young halfling nodded as he took a sip. "I'm a master of discretion," the teapot tried to reassure him further. Fully aware of why the talking dishware was placed in his room, a smirk played on the rogue's lips, "Oh I'm sure that you are..."

Posy watched the area carefully, making her rounds as she crossed the garden veranda. She noticed the elf who was dressed in black, Keryth the high marshall, keeping a close eye on her group of companions. He gave her a nod of respect at her diligence watching for danger. She returned the nod, but continued to keep an eye on him as she watched both in the circle and the outskirts for any sign of attack.

Everyone retired to their rooms for the night. Erevin stirred from his slumber just in time to see the glint of moonlight coming off of a blade descending toward his face! He quickly rolled off to the side as the sword cut his ear and impaled into his pillow where he had just been. He then noticed 2 other black clad figures in addition to the one over him. They were all wearing strange demonic elvish masks over their faces. A fourth one reached out to slip a necklace over Shri's sleeping head... it had some sort of Llolth symbol on it. The young drow's eyes shot open with a startled look as a bright glow flashed around her and she vanished! Everything was quiet in the room... as though they were in some sort of silence spell. Erevin quickly called her back as his moonblade. He could feel the magic activate, but the sword did not appear in his hand... like she must be far away and traveling to him. He was naked, having been awoken, and he rolled across the floor to grab his bow from the wall! The four all turned to him as though a well practiced team... their masks made him think about the nightmarish stories of the fey'ri from when he was a child... stories of elves mating with demons in an attempt to become stronger.

Erevin quickly slipped on his quiver and dashed through the balcony door launching a brilliant energy arrow through the door of one of his companions. Thorn was uncomfortable, feeling watched in his room, and he noticed a brightly arrow sail in through his door to impale into the wall. "Oh dear!" the teapot spoke with alarm, "Most unusual!" "Oh shut up!" Thorn yelled at the teapot as he got up to grab his daggers and dashed to his own balcony... He sighed, "Erevin's room... of course."

One of the black clad figures shattered the non-magical teapot in Erevin's room and the pieces fell silently to the floor as two others rushed and pinned him to the wall! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Even held, the elven ranger managed to dodge his body aside as one of the other two tried to strike him with his blade, but the fourth impaled his sword deep into Erevin's flesh! Grunting in pain, Erevin wrenched his arms from their grapple, heading toward his balcony. Thorn studied Erevin's balcony, pretty certain that he could see combat in the dim lighting, but he couldn't hear anything.

The young halfling shouted out to the room next to his as he threw Rose into the beams of the elven prince's balcony, "Posy! Combat! Let's go!" He followed the dagger, porting over. Posy stirred, hearing combat and go. Wren's eyes opened, hearing some sort of voices coming from outside. Azarius slept deeply, snuggled into his bed.

Two of the masked figures surrounded Erevin, one of them stabbing him in the back! The other two again grabbed ahold of his arms. The pale-blonde elf wrenched his arms free again and made his way to the doors of the balcony to spot a short figure in the shadows looking up at him. Posy grabbed her waraxe and charged out of her bedroom, clanging the handle against the doors of her companions as she ran down the hall! Kale stirred, nuzzling into Wren's neck. She nudged him, sweeping out of bed in her bare skin, "I'm sure I heard something that time... Something's wrong. Get up."

The two figures again grabbed Erevin's arms with the third grabbing his shoulders, trying to push him back against the wall! Thorn flung open the balcony doors to see the four black-clad figures struggling to hold a very naked Erevin. They turned to look at him, their masks disguising any expressions. He stepped in, stabbing his dagger into the closest one. Wren stepped out into the hall to see Posy running naked ahead of her, pounding her axe on doors as she ran. Azarius stirred, hearing the loud THUNK! Posy continued to slam her axe until she got to Erevin's room when there was no sound when she hit his door. She paused, staring at the door curiously.

Erevin broke free of all but one of the figures as he managed to step closer to Thorn. The figure that the short rogue stabbed, turned to bull rush the halfling out over the railing of the balcony! Thorn managed to grab hold of the railing as he fell over the edge, the figure looming over him. One of the figures joined the other to grab ahold of Erevin and the two rushed out, dragging him with them over the balcony!

Thorn quickly grabbed Erevin's foot, stopping his fall... but the weight of the three men wrenched his own shoulder out of it's socket... losing his grip on the balcony to fall with Erevin! Wren and Kale dashed down the hall naked to join Posy who flung open Erevin's door to see drapes fluttering in the breeze and a black clad figure looking over the rail of the balcony. In a full rage, the little gnome ran across the room to impale her axe deeply into the remaining figure!

Falling below, the two figures released their grapple on Erevin. The elven ranger grabbed onto one of them, "Oh no, no... You're going with me!" "We'll go to Arvandor together," the masked figure hissed out as the second spread out large wings, leaving them behind. Erevin and the figure collided into the earth, tumbling down the cliff into the street! Thorn tumbled behind them, landing to stab his daggers into the prone black clad attacker.

Wren looked out over the balcony to see Erevin and Thorn battling a figure on the ground while another was flying. She quickly pulled a dispell from Cirdan to remove the silence on the room and then sent out a bolt of cold toward the flying masked figure... but the figure wove out of the way, evading the spell like she had seen Thorn do before. Kale pushed back the fourth figure still in the room with his own blade, but the figure quickly leapt over the rail of the balcony.

Posy impaled her axe into the back as the other figure leapt off to join his companions... She killed him as she rode him down the mountainous cliff to arrive bloodied beside Erevin and Thorn. Erevin held tightly to the figure they still had, "Who are you?!" "One who would see you and your family dead!" the figure spat back as it's hand formed into claws that wrapped around Erevin's neck, digging into his flesh! Thorn ripped away the mask from the face of the figure to see an eerily non-descript sun elf beneath. Wren glanced back at Kale, "Look after the others." Before giving him time to reply, she stepped through another dimension to appear above one of the flying figures... but the figure managed to dodge out of the way, leaving her to drift like a feather toward the ground.

Erevin held tight to the masked elf on the ground, but it's joints seemed to unlock as it managed to escape his grapple! Thorn stabbed his daggers repeatedly into the black clad man, splashing his blood over his own naked body! The figure fell dead to the ground. Wren wove a spell to burst a cone of intense pleasure over the figure above her, stunning him to glide with no focus through the air. Posy stood up, joining the others to watch the two remaining in the air.

Erevin impaled a single direct arrow into the figure in the predictable glide. Wanting to bring the figure down, Wren wove an unnatural lust over the gliding figure... selecting herself as it's target, assuming it to be a man. It turned, coming back toward her, but shook it's head at the last moment and spiraled into a sickening crunch into the ground. Pulling the mask... it turned out to be a woman... eerily non-descript sun elf. The fourth was long out of reach...

The elven guards followed Kale out to the grounds, "What's going on here?" After hearing the group had been attacked, they quickly offered cloaks. Priests came out to heal them as some of the guards went to tell the queen.

Azarius rubbed his sleepy eyes as he made his way to peek over the balcony to see his companions naked and bloody below as they talked with guards. Blackhelm came out to the group, "Fey'ri in Evermeet? That just doesn't happen... Were it not for you being Zultarish's grandson..." He shook his head, scarcely able to believe his own eyes. "You would call me a liar?" Erevin raised an eyebrow, his voice non-threatening as he gestured to the dead bodies and masks at their feet. "Get back everyone!" Blackhelm pointed at the bodies, backing up quickly.

The two bodies began to bubble and spurt out a horrific black ooze. The teapot's voice came from Thorn's room, "Are you alright, sir?" The halfling sighed. Blackhelm alerted the gryphon riders to the event. Wren scried for Shri, seeing her in the form of the moonblade quickly rushing through the air over the ocean waters... water as far as she could see. The young witch nodded to Erevin, "She's safe and on her way to you."

"Why would they attack YOU, Lord Lionspaw?" Blackhelm turned to the prince of Myth Coramanth. "They mentioned my family and my mother... she helped to foil the attack of the floating fey'ri city against the Grey Cloak Hills," Erevin replied. "The fey'ri do remember for a long time," the marshall nodded, "but that means that there have to be more fey'ri here... or fey'ri sympathizers." Erevin nodded in agreement, "Pretty safe to say." "I will scour the city," Blackhelm looked out over the island. "We tried to keep one alive," Erevin pointed out to where the last had flown to.

Hours later the moonblade appeared in Erevin's hand. He quickly returned Shri to her own form, "Where did they send you?" She laid a hand on her neck where the necklace was now gone, "I believe that holy symbol they put on me fooled the mythal into thinking that I was a priestess of Llolth, so it expelled me from the island." Erevin shook his head, "So you got expelled to the edge of the mythal and dropped into the ocean." "Exactly," she nodded. "At least you called her back," Wren nodded. "It would have been a long swim," Shri agreed. "I'm glad that you are well," Erevin caressed her cheek.

Blackhelm assured the group that it would be best if they left in the morning as planned. Ocneia had handpicked his crew for the journey. They apologized that such an attack had occurred, and again assured them they would look more into it.

Olithir came to see them off, "I regret that our hospitality wasn't what it should have been what with the attack last night... Please take this." He offered Thorn the magic teapot. "Oh no no... Please... it's too much," Thorn quickly shook his head. "It is just a small bit of magic," Olithir disagreed, "It brews fine tea and knows a vast selection of choices." "Yes," Thorn nodded, "I spoke with it many times." The grand mage nodded, "It seems to have struck up a kinship with you." He held it out once again. "Save it for your next visitor," Thorn shook his head, "No gifts necessary." Olithir looked disappointed, but backed off.

The group left the island, heading for Lantan