Subject A forest Interlude

The sounds of the forest disappear around him. He slows his breathing, his heart beat, until they match the rhythm of the forest. Deep in the most sacred oak grove , Stormfather Acer sits, motionless. He takes in the sounds of the forest. The rapid fire staccato of the woodpecker, the high, far away screech of the hawk, the low thrumming of the waterfall. Deeper he goes into the sounds of the forest. The rustle of the leaves on the trees as the wind blows, the swishing sound of the grass in the high mountain glade, the low booming of the old elm tree finally falling.

He reads these sounds like others read words. He listens to them for messages from his ward, the Great North Woods. For long years he the forest has told him where it needs help. But parts of the woods have been silent for far too long. Far to the north and east, trouble is brewing. He can just tell, even though there has been no report. Soon another sound intrudes on his senses. He hears the sound of paws on the forest floor. There is something wrong about the sound though. He speaks. "MountainSister Sephira, why do you always try and sneak up on me?"

The mountain lion that had been moving quietly towards the StormFather stops and shimmers in the dappled sunlight. A young looking woman forms up, a rueful expression on her face. "How did you know it was me, Acer?" The old druid looks up, a small grin on his face. "If I told you all my secrets, then where would I be? But this time I will let you in on it. Mountain lions do not have the feet needed to move quietly in the forest. You would have been better served with the form of one of the forest cats, not the mountain cats you are more familiar with. Expand your comfort zone, and you will see returns."

His face takes on a more serious tone. "What brings you to the Glade of Contemplation today?" "I have news you need to hear, StormFather." Her use of his title tells him much. Indicating that she should take a seat he offers her some fresh berries and some water. She sits and relays her news.

"Two reports StormFather. First, we have received a messenger bird from Gorn. The Wealdward Salix has returned from his mission for the Paladins. I do not understand why you sent him with those pompous arrogant fools. They think they can bend the world to their power." Acer sighs. He has had this discussion with many of the followers of Obad-Hai. "I deal with them because when we have made agreements with them, they have abided by them. Yes they cut down tress, and cultivate the land, and damn up the rivers, but when we have shown them the errors of what they have done, they have listened. Unlike the fools in Tsopsi or Undulant or the chaos that rules over the Wildlands. But enough of that. What is your second report?"

Saphira's face darkens. "It as about the mission of the 5 Riverguards to the Wildlands forest. It has been a month and no news back yet. And we have still not heard back from the Wealdwards we sent over three months ago. I fear that they are lost." Acer bows his head, suddenly feeling his age. "Those were good druids. Smart, careful. Gone. My fault. I should have gone. I will go."

The aged druid stands. "MountainSister, listen to my commands. You are to go to the Wealdward Salix. Initiate him into the next level. Then ask him to return with you. Ask him to bring any that he can convince to accompany him, for I feel that we may need their aid before all of this is done. There is a willow grove not many miles from the city. I know you prefer the mountains to the forest, but you must go to the city of Gorn and bring back aid. I will go ahead, to the closest sacred grove we have in the north. Send Salix and any he brings along to that grove. I will meet them there. I will need some time to see what is happening."

"It will be as you say, StormFather" the younger druid says. As she goes he speaks up one more time. "If I am not back in two fortnights, summon the Council of Druids. I will have fallen." Saphira looks stunned at the old man's statement. "Should we not send more druids with you then?" The StormFather shakes his head. "No, if I am unable to deal with whatever threat is up there, then more druids would only die. That is why I want Salix to bring the people he has been working with along. They may have talents and skills to succeeded where we may not. Obad-Hai watch your step, MountainSister."

Subject Potions

Salix does. (OOC - Is it?)

Subject Potions

Yes it is magical and no it is not poison.

Subject Allistair's tesitmony

Allistiar listens through the trial, also a little surprised that Kal chose not to speak, essentially pleading no contest to the charges laid against him. Well, the elven justice system focused more on repentance and recompense then on punishment and retribution, and such a plea wouldn't necessarily be a disadvantage. Allistair looks over al Kal. He is calm, posessed, and doesn't look calculating at all. Today Kal seemed every bit the reserved and controlled elf. Allistair hoped it wasn't just a show. It was practically impossible to fool an elder who had several centuries of experience. Allistair knew that first-hand from his time among the elves.

When Allistair is asked to testify, Allistair asks in Elvish if he should give his testimony in Elvish or Common. Det-Lar responds back in Elvish that while only the three were passing judgement upon Kal, due to the audience proceeding in Common would be more polite.

"Of course," Allistair replies, switching back to Common. "I generally agree with the facts as presented by my peers. However, there are a few details that I would like to add. Being a wizard I must have an exacting memory, and I beleive the judges should have the most accurate facts in their possesion. We had only been in Lothar's test for a few hours, and we had no idea what types of challenges were before us. We had just previously opened the first door, upon which a murderous ogre charged us, giving us no option but to kill it. We knew not but that we would have to kill every creature in this place for us to be able to safely leave."

"At the second door we were able to engage the creatures on the other side of the door in some conversation. Though we had a strong suspicion and fear that we would have no choice but to fight, Harp reluctantly chose to let Mund, Surin, Salix, and Kal try and speak with them first."

"Due to the gutteral low tones they spoke in, Salix first assumed they were orcs. However, Since Mund speaks Orcish, he determined that this wasn't the case. At this point, Kal must have assumed that if they weren't orcs, they must be goblins or something similar. His exact words to Salix were:

'Friend Salix, you're wasting your time with these creatures. They're pawns of chaos and evil. Treacherous to the core. Lets kill them quickly. If we return them to their homes they'll probably be out pillaging and raping in a week.'

"At this, Mund and Kal got into a loud argument over their, um, different political views on goblinoid races that included racist remarks on both sides. I rushed forward and tried to calm the two down, but I was too late. As he was about to open the door, Kal said to me:

'Your brothers a fool and will be treated as such. These goblins need to die, and they need to die now.

Have you all forgetten that we're currently in a extra-dimensional pocket fighting a TEST created by the very opponent of the one eyed abomination?

There is nothing to be learned here from these spawns of chaos and evil. At best they're "innocent" and will go back to raping and pillaging our brethren. At worst they're a trap laid by the one-eyed one himself, designed to destroy our chances at fulfilling our mission.

We don't have time for foolish errands of gallantry now. These are the enemies. They stand in our way, and they are the children of evil. We kill them now, before it costs us our life and our quest.' "At that point, he pushed open the door and started attacking whatever was in the room, and Mund tried to tackle him from behind to stop him. The door then slammed closed on them, and it took frantic effort from the rest of us to push the door back open and rescue them from being overwhelmed and slain in the darkness. After we managed to rescue Kal and Mund we had no choice but to slay the creatures, which we determined to be grimlocks. Not orcs and not goblins, but an underground goblinoid race."

"After that unfortunate encounter, the only time that Kal disobeyed any orders from Harp was charging into battle to cover his comrades, when Harp had ordered him to stay in reserve or on the flanks. He in fact nearly died twice, once when he charged a giant Grey Render, and again at the end when we faced a vicious pack of trolls. In fact, he only seemed his shrewd self again when we were speaking with Lothnar himself. Both him and Mund seemed more surprised to see themselved agreeing on something than even the rest of us were," Allistair recalls with a grin.

"Do you have any questions for me?"