Doug Millington-Smith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
magicaddict) wrote2010-05-16 01:36 am
magicaddict) wrote2010-05-16 01:36 am
Lorne's Journal, Part 1...
When I successfully convinced Lady Maegera to allow me to take her place, and make my way to the gathering of Teutonia's warhost to increase the chances of Lady Rega's survival, I was hoping that beyond a little light following around, there would be scant need for any serious duty: she is known and respected among her travelling companions, has no small capability of her own and, having survived for two years on the surface already, a vital instinct that normally makes one easy to protect.
By most measures, I was right. Rega was not remotely a difficult charge, beyond the standard unfamiliarity issues typically caused by a bodyguard's initial contact. Meeting her and introducing myself, something I viewed with a great deal of trepidation on both the grounds of her celebrity among the enclave, and the fact that Maegera's take on incognito had me skulking around in abjectly plain sight like some have-a-go bandit, she made easy. Her reputation preceeds her and is well deserved, for she greeted me as a friend, tried to make me comfortable in the new surroundings, and when it was pertinent, stayed close to me for protection. The council could have no better leader if, indeed, it is formed.
However, there were entirely more difficult circumstances afoot, which were nothing to do with her. The day I arrived, I found myself going into battle for the first time in twelve years.
Ayonae...what a damn shame.
She would have liked it here. The Mission could find work and acceptance. I was introduced to the TS as a follower of Elistraee, I was welcomed with open arms and trust. I was offered a place to rest from my journey, food and drink, and was asked for the latest news of the enclave. I met, and spoke on level terms, with humans, surface elves and others, and no-one viewed me with open hostility or fear. A few were curious, but I'll fill my boots with every opportunity I can get to put across a side of our people they're probably still not used to. Rega has prepared the ground well, and I look forward to continuing to walk her path.
Lady Elisianna was absent (indeed, the very reason for my attendance), but Rega was, thankfully, not alone. Another Llolthite escapee, named Orthae, travels with the warhost. He is a mage and, bless him, he is young, possessed of a great deal of talent but very little direction. He's got himself into trouble with a magical amulet that he can neither remove, nor control the effects of. It appears sentient, and with a sense of humour, for it played such tricks as to protect its wearer from a battle raging around him with almost casual application of exalted magic, and to drop us, among other places, into the throne tent of the Algaian people who, to put it mildly, are not exactly friends of ours. He appears in good hands, however, for not only does Rega watch him, but he too has a protector, and possibly more, in the form of the de facto ZS of these people. It is another indication of the wonderful, blissful egalitarianism of this place that a drow male can enjoy a relationship with a human female, with neither having to sneak around out of the public eye. Would that everyone was so reasonable, but it's a start.
This is the world you gave your life that others may find, ussta xukuth. I dearly wish you could see it.
As well as arriving in time for a battle, I did so in time to see the leader of this nation die. He traded his life for another's so a portal to an alternate dimension could be sealed to prevent any more from...wherever it was...coming through. He was obviously a loved and respected figure, for he was mourned greatly by just about everyone present, and indeed appeared to heal rifts between different factions within the nation even as he lay in state. Every high priest of the various gods of the surface invoked their blessing, Rega observing as AS for Elistraee. His passing was seen as a time of great change for the nation, and there was a sense of optimism for a new beginning. I have not yet learned enough of what went before to know whether this will be true or not, but I look forward to finding out.
Rega has invited me to stay, both as a protector and a corporealist. She introduced me to various people she thought I would be of use to, and they seem happy to have me around, if a little confused as to what exactly to do with me. The OS, Franchesca, lacks decisive confidence, and is too ready to keep her detail close by, but is logical and dedicated, and I trust her. I watched over a ritual when others had gone to mourn, and she came to personally thank me for attending. It was no more than my duty, but her concern was touching. The TS, Darius, is possessed of confidence such as has either been proven over and over in battle, or has never been tested. I err strongly on the side of the former, though he did not lead in the battle we fought. He made me welcome in his tent, and remembered what I said to him. Elistraee could use more like him. The ZS, Rosalind, is frivolous with her life, but loyal to her cause and very capable in all aspects of her job; she vanguards her own Mission here and makes a good living out of it. I pity the one who dares come between her and Orthae, but I hope that she hasn't bitten off more than she can chew.
I will speak with each of them in due course of what I used to do. Perhaps with this knowledge, I won't be quite so much of a confusion to them, and can be of the best possible use. These are good people, and if Elistraee sees fit to send me to E'et Xonathull once again, so be it, and I offer up all I have in their cause. I will defend these people, and fight for them, trust them to look after me and let them expect the same in return.
Just like old times, d'anthe xukuth. I miss you desperately.
By most measures, I was right. Rega was not remotely a difficult charge, beyond the standard unfamiliarity issues typically caused by a bodyguard's initial contact. Meeting her and introducing myself, something I viewed with a great deal of trepidation on both the grounds of her celebrity among the enclave, and the fact that Maegera's take on incognito had me skulking around in abjectly plain sight like some have-a-go bandit, she made easy. Her reputation preceeds her and is well deserved, for she greeted me as a friend, tried to make me comfortable in the new surroundings, and when it was pertinent, stayed close to me for protection. The council could have no better leader if, indeed, it is formed.
However, there were entirely more difficult circumstances afoot, which were nothing to do with her. The day I arrived, I found myself going into battle for the first time in twelve years.
Ayonae...what a damn shame.
She would have liked it here. The Mission could find work and acceptance. I was introduced to the TS as a follower of Elistraee, I was welcomed with open arms and trust. I was offered a place to rest from my journey, food and drink, and was asked for the latest news of the enclave. I met, and spoke on level terms, with humans, surface elves and others, and no-one viewed me with open hostility or fear. A few were curious, but I'll fill my boots with every opportunity I can get to put across a side of our people they're probably still not used to. Rega has prepared the ground well, and I look forward to continuing to walk her path.
Lady Elisianna was absent (indeed, the very reason for my attendance), but Rega was, thankfully, not alone. Another Llolthite escapee, named Orthae, travels with the warhost. He is a mage and, bless him, he is young, possessed of a great deal of talent but very little direction. He's got himself into trouble with a magical amulet that he can neither remove, nor control the effects of. It appears sentient, and with a sense of humour, for it played such tricks as to protect its wearer from a battle raging around him with almost casual application of exalted magic, and to drop us, among other places, into the throne tent of the Algaian people who, to put it mildly, are not exactly friends of ours. He appears in good hands, however, for not only does Rega watch him, but he too has a protector, and possibly more, in the form of the de facto ZS of these people. It is another indication of the wonderful, blissful egalitarianism of this place that a drow male can enjoy a relationship with a human female, with neither having to sneak around out of the public eye. Would that everyone was so reasonable, but it's a start.
This is the world you gave your life that others may find, ussta xukuth. I dearly wish you could see it.
As well as arriving in time for a battle, I did so in time to see the leader of this nation die. He traded his life for another's so a portal to an alternate dimension could be sealed to prevent any more from...wherever it was...coming through. He was obviously a loved and respected figure, for he was mourned greatly by just about everyone present, and indeed appeared to heal rifts between different factions within the nation even as he lay in state. Every high priest of the various gods of the surface invoked their blessing, Rega observing as AS for Elistraee. His passing was seen as a time of great change for the nation, and there was a sense of optimism for a new beginning. I have not yet learned enough of what went before to know whether this will be true or not, but I look forward to finding out.
Rega has invited me to stay, both as a protector and a corporealist. She introduced me to various people she thought I would be of use to, and they seem happy to have me around, if a little confused as to what exactly to do with me. The OS, Franchesca, lacks decisive confidence, and is too ready to keep her detail close by, but is logical and dedicated, and I trust her. I watched over a ritual when others had gone to mourn, and she came to personally thank me for attending. It was no more than my duty, but her concern was touching. The TS, Darius, is possessed of confidence such as has either been proven over and over in battle, or has never been tested. I err strongly on the side of the former, though he did not lead in the battle we fought. He made me welcome in his tent, and remembered what I said to him. Elistraee could use more like him. The ZS, Rosalind, is frivolous with her life, but loyal to her cause and very capable in all aspects of her job; she vanguards her own Mission here and makes a good living out of it. I pity the one who dares come between her and Orthae, but I hope that she hasn't bitten off more than she can chew.
I will speak with each of them in due course of what I used to do. Perhaps with this knowledge, I won't be quite so much of a confusion to them, and can be of the best possible use. These are good people, and if Elistraee sees fit to send me to E'et Xonathull once again, so be it, and I offer up all I have in their cause. I will defend these people, and fight for them, trust them to look after me and let them expect the same in return.
Just like old times, d'anthe xukuth. I miss you desperately.