Post by Tam on Jan 25, 2008 0:13:17 GMT -5
((ooc: just fyi...... I have talked this over with the admin. Also, this is going to be more of a small story so that my post in full spectrum isn't out of the blue.... and to wrap up the nebulous details of the state of the elves.))
It was a small camp nestled temporarily in the center of a bowl shaped valley, with only a small canyon for access. It was not a nice, neat hunter camp with everything in a specified place, but instead it had the appearance of a camp of need. A camp where the residence had come of necessity rather than by choice. But to Tam, looking down on it from the slight slope at the mouth of the canyon, it was much, much more. It was the last bedraggled remains of his people.
After Tam's close run in with death, he had ridden through the land aimlessly for a while, not sure what to do about his dream. Then in a northern tavern he had heard of an outbreak of demons and of how the nations were headed for a place where they would stand and fight them. He instinctively realized that this was what the gods had wanted of him. He began inquiring about the whereabouts of the elves..... and had found that they happened to be not more than 5 miles from the pub. The next morning he had set out and here he was. Shaking himself from his thoughts he started running at a jog down into the valley.
Many elves stopped their work when they saw Tam jog into camp. He heard many whispers of things like "Isn't that Tam?" and "What's HE doing here?" Apparently most still remembered that he had left his people when they had needed him and many held grudges. Tam kept jogging until he came to the biggest tent and found someone very familiar waiting for him...... Mat. The frowning elf spoke when Tam stopped, "What the heck do you think you are doing coming back after you left like that?"
Tam nodded in acknowledgment of the justice in that statement. "That decision was a bad one and I still regret it. It is not easy to back I assure you, but the need is great."
"Oh, well that just fixes everything, doesn't it? Does that change the fact that I've had to take over the leadership of the Erodaen?"
Tam looked up sharply, "What happened to Lord Tamathar?!?"
"There was an attack by a group of bandits and he was hit by an poisoned arrow. He's on the edge of death with our healers working on him."
Tam cursed, "Something else always happens doesn't it? So your in charge at the moment?"
"Yes."
"The nations need our help to fight back a demon horde."
Mat's face darkened. "And you expect us to be able to help?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Forget it." Mat turned to leave.
Tam reached out and put his hand on Mat's shoulder. "Wait Mat! I know that I was being stupid when I left and that it hurt a lot of things.... heck it almost cost me my life..... but things have changed. I think this is what the gods want us to do!"
Mat turned hesitantly. "Well, something changed....when you left you wouldn't even mention the gods...let alone what they wanted. But how do I know you've changed?"
"Well for one..... this." He reached into his pack and pulled out a blue sphere. "You know that ice orb I've always had that never unlocked? Well, this is it. It must've been i had to regain my wish to live because it unlocked just a couple days after I nearly died."
Mat looked doubtful. "Maybe Tam, but a lot of stuff could do that..."
Tam shook his head. "Here, let me explain and then you can make your judgment." Then Tam told of his fight alongside the vampire and the paladin. When he was finished Mat shook his head ruefully.
"Thats quite a tale.... no one will believe it."
Tam reached up and undid the laces of his shirt. "They'll have to....I have proof." He pulled open his shirt, exposing the skeletal mark.
Mat stared in wonderment. "Thats the mark?" he breathed fearfully.
"Yes."
"I'll get some one to get the people together. They'll listen to your story and then vote."
"May I see the.... king?"
Mat hesitated the nodded. "Just leave your weapons outside. He's in this tent." Mat turned and walked off.
Tam leaned all of his weapons up against the tent....even his boot knife for once. He stepped into the tent. Inside it was lit by a few lanterns. Tamathar was propped in a half-sitting position and three healers stood around him muttering various incantations. Tam slowly approached the bed and knelt down, bowing his head. Tamathar slowly looked Tam over then said softly and with much effort, "Tam.....you came back."
"My lord, please forgive my rashness. Leaving was one of the greatest follies I've ever made. But regardless, my lord, will you be alright?"
Tamathar gave a chuckle that turned into a cough. "Tam, my body is getting old. I do not think my body will recover. It is only a matter of time."
"My lord, please don't say such things, I'm sure our healers will be successful."
"Don't try to make things sound well Tam, they're not. But don't worry about my fate, I'm sure you have a reason for returning. Continue with it and I'll hold out on my own." Tamathar smiled, "And Tam, I don't hold your leaving against you. I understood why you left probably before you did. The fact that you now think it folly shows that it was worth it. Now go, do what needs to be done."
Tam nodded and stood. "Yes, my lord." With that he turned and left.
Within the hour every remaining elf that could had assembled in the center of the village. There was chatting as elves asked each other what was happening and why Tam had come back. Then all became dead silent as Mat stepped up onto a large stump. “Good afternoon. I’m sure you’re wondering what this is about. Well, as you may know, Tam Al’Thor has returned.” There was a slight angry murmur at these words and Mat waited for silence. “I know that Tam didn’t leave us at a good time, but before you judge him please listen to his story. After that I ask that you be prepared to vote for or against his request.” With that Mat stepped down, motioning for Tam to go ahead. Tam took a deep breath and climbed up.
“First, I would like to give every one of you my deepest apologies for leaving. It was the height of folly and I would understand if not a single one of you ever forgives me. That being said, please let me explain what happened and what I ask.” With that Tam told them his tale as he had told Mat, showing them both his orb and his mark. “And so,” he said when he finished with finding the elven camp. “I come asking for elves to accompany me to meet with the nations and to fight for Gorgraz. I understand that you will wish to discuss this. I will now go to the tent I have been given to stay in and let Mat discuss this with you. I simply ask that a decision be made in time for me and possibly the other elves to leave tomorrow morning.” Having said this Tam hopped down and walked to his tent.
An hour and a half later Tam sat on the cot in his tent, still waiting for the Erodaen to reach a decision. Coming back to his people had stirred up a lot of old memories and he was lost in them. He was remembering the days before the fall of Kalor and The Erodaen nation. Before the battle of Outlance, where the elven army was decimated. Before the orcs and Fabian elves had ravaged the Erodaen forest, massacring the remaining peoples. Before Tam had helped King Tamathar lead the shattered remains of the Erodaen into hiding. Back when he was struggling to form alliances with nations that had been fighting evil elves instead of fighting for survival. He thought of first time he had gone to Kalor and met the queen. From there he began replaying buying his brother’s blowgun from the vendor and his wonderment of finding a link to his past the Kalorian capitol. Then his thoughts darkened as he thought of his misaligned transport after buying the weapon and his subsequent capture and release by that… Tam started as he realized where he had seen the creature from the cave before…. It was the vampire that had captured him. He chuckled at the irony.
Tam grabbed his pack and dug out the stone he had found after waking released by the vampire. He stared into the calming swirling red and blue pattern as he had done many times over the years…. Part of the reason he had never sold it. He heard a sudden swelling of discussion outside and looked up so quickly the stone slipped out of his hand and landed on the ground with a thud…… and THEN a crack. Befuddled, Tam looked down to see a crack in the stone. But I heard it crack AFTER it fell. Tam then stared in amazement as with another snapping noise the crack grew bigger. A Tam continued to watch open-mouthed as the “stone” that he had carried for years slowly opened and released a small creature that promptly began stumbling around and making quiet screeching noises. It had the head and chest of a snowy eagle but the back end and tail of a lion. Respectively, its front two legs matched and eagle while its back legs were that of a lion. To top it off, it had an eagle’s wings. From its beak to the base of its tail was probably about a foot with a wingspan of slightly longer. Tam slowly began to recognize what had come out of his stone, or egg he supposed it must have really been. It was one of the legendarily rare gryphons.
Tam was startled out of his wonderment when the thing jumped/ fluttered onto the bed and came over to him screeching demandingly. Tam chuckled and pulled out some pack rations which the gryphon quickly devoured. It hopped down and began exploring the tent. Tam watched it with interest, studying the creature’s movements, which were quickly becoming less clumsy and more fluid. He was interrupted however when the tent flap was shoved aside. With alarming quickness, the gryphon sprinted and hid behind Tam legs, peeking out at the elf that had just entered the tent.
“Mat sent me to summon you, sir,” the elf said impersonally, looking curiously and the gryphon. “The…. the meeting is over and he wishes to speak with you by the stump.”
“Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes… yes sir,” the elf replied. He hesitated a second, seemingly torn between his manners and his curiosity, then hurriedly left. Tam stood and began to leave but stopped when the gryphon began to follow him. After studying each other for a moment Tam relented. “Well, it’s not like you have any other place to go. Come on, just don’t cause trouble.”
Mat met Tam eagerly, but hesitated when he saw the gryphon. “What’s that? Actually, knowing you, never mind, I don’t want to know. I got some good news.”
“What? Did you decide to give aid?”
“Well, first, the village has pardoned you for leaving after a lengthy speech from one of the elder about your brother. Second, we are giving you 25 elves formerly of the white brotherhood, each with a warrior to help them, to take to this battle. I know it’s not much, but it’s all we can spare.”
Tam smiled for the first time in what seemed like ages. “That’s a great deal more than I expected. When will they be ready to leave?”
“You leave at first light.” Mat seemed to remember something. “Hey, follow me. I’ve got something for you.” Mat lead Tam (and the gryphon) to Mat’s tent where he pulled a chest out from under the bed and indicate for Tam to open it. Inside was a set of black monazite (a magical metal that is a strong as plate but with the flexibility of leather) armor, with a neatly folded tabard on top displaying a flaming jewel with a sword sticking through it. Tam slowly picked up the tabard. “…My battle gear…. I thought you all would throw it away when I left like that.”
“Well, they did, but the king ordered me to secret it away. He thought you’d come back. You should take it….. you’ll need it where you’re going.” Mat suddenly became serious. “Just make sure that you help the Erodaen after you get back. We really actually need those men that you’re taking. We’ll be hard pressed without them.”
Tam set down his tabard before answering with equal gravity. “I know. But if the nations lose this battle, we won’t have a chance. I will bring them back.” Tam’s mood suddenly became lighter. “But forget that. We have things to do.”
The rest of the afternoon was filled with preparations. Tam oversaw the company in getting ready. He moved back and forth through the camp giving them various instructions with the gryphon following him all the way. Surprisingly, it kep up despite its size….. even the few time Tam broke into a jog.
That evening they had a large dinner to send off the company (kind of like a feast except the elves don’t have enough resources for a true feast). After eating they went through the traditional ceremonies for sending men off to battle as best they could with what they had. At the end of the night Tam went to bed feeling more at peace than he had in a long time, the gryphon curled up and the end of the cot.\
And so, in the early gray predawn of the next morning, 51 elves and a gryphon set off to join the largest battle since Outlance….
Merging with The Field of Full Spectrum
It was a small camp nestled temporarily in the center of a bowl shaped valley, with only a small canyon for access. It was not a nice, neat hunter camp with everything in a specified place, but instead it had the appearance of a camp of need. A camp where the residence had come of necessity rather than by choice. But to Tam, looking down on it from the slight slope at the mouth of the canyon, it was much, much more. It was the last bedraggled remains of his people.
After Tam's close run in with death, he had ridden through the land aimlessly for a while, not sure what to do about his dream. Then in a northern tavern he had heard of an outbreak of demons and of how the nations were headed for a place where they would stand and fight them. He instinctively realized that this was what the gods had wanted of him. He began inquiring about the whereabouts of the elves..... and had found that they happened to be not more than 5 miles from the pub. The next morning he had set out and here he was. Shaking himself from his thoughts he started running at a jog down into the valley.
~~~
Many elves stopped their work when they saw Tam jog into camp. He heard many whispers of things like "Isn't that Tam?" and "What's HE doing here?" Apparently most still remembered that he had left his people when they had needed him and many held grudges. Tam kept jogging until he came to the biggest tent and found someone very familiar waiting for him...... Mat. The frowning elf spoke when Tam stopped, "What the heck do you think you are doing coming back after you left like that?"
Tam nodded in acknowledgment of the justice in that statement. "That decision was a bad one and I still regret it. It is not easy to back I assure you, but the need is great."
"Oh, well that just fixes everything, doesn't it? Does that change the fact that I've had to take over the leadership of the Erodaen?"
Tam looked up sharply, "What happened to Lord Tamathar?!?"
"There was an attack by a group of bandits and he was hit by an poisoned arrow. He's on the edge of death with our healers working on him."
Tam cursed, "Something else always happens doesn't it? So your in charge at the moment?"
"Yes."
"The nations need our help to fight back a demon horde."
Mat's face darkened. "And you expect us to be able to help?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Forget it." Mat turned to leave.
Tam reached out and put his hand on Mat's shoulder. "Wait Mat! I know that I was being stupid when I left and that it hurt a lot of things.... heck it almost cost me my life..... but things have changed. I think this is what the gods want us to do!"
Mat turned hesitantly. "Well, something changed....when you left you wouldn't even mention the gods...let alone what they wanted. But how do I know you've changed?"
"Well for one..... this." He reached into his pack and pulled out a blue sphere. "You know that ice orb I've always had that never unlocked? Well, this is it. It must've been i had to regain my wish to live because it unlocked just a couple days after I nearly died."
Mat looked doubtful. "Maybe Tam, but a lot of stuff could do that..."
Tam shook his head. "Here, let me explain and then you can make your judgment." Then Tam told of his fight alongside the vampire and the paladin. When he was finished Mat shook his head ruefully.
"Thats quite a tale.... no one will believe it."
Tam reached up and undid the laces of his shirt. "They'll have to....I have proof." He pulled open his shirt, exposing the skeletal mark.
Mat stared in wonderment. "Thats the mark?" he breathed fearfully.
"Yes."
"I'll get some one to get the people together. They'll listen to your story and then vote."
"May I see the.... king?"
Mat hesitated the nodded. "Just leave your weapons outside. He's in this tent." Mat turned and walked off.
Tam leaned all of his weapons up against the tent....even his boot knife for once. He stepped into the tent. Inside it was lit by a few lanterns. Tamathar was propped in a half-sitting position and three healers stood around him muttering various incantations. Tam slowly approached the bed and knelt down, bowing his head. Tamathar slowly looked Tam over then said softly and with much effort, "Tam.....you came back."
"My lord, please forgive my rashness. Leaving was one of the greatest follies I've ever made. But regardless, my lord, will you be alright?"
Tamathar gave a chuckle that turned into a cough. "Tam, my body is getting old. I do not think my body will recover. It is only a matter of time."
"My lord, please don't say such things, I'm sure our healers will be successful."
"Don't try to make things sound well Tam, they're not. But don't worry about my fate, I'm sure you have a reason for returning. Continue with it and I'll hold out on my own." Tamathar smiled, "And Tam, I don't hold your leaving against you. I understood why you left probably before you did. The fact that you now think it folly shows that it was worth it. Now go, do what needs to be done."
Tam nodded and stood. "Yes, my lord." With that he turned and left.
~~~
Within the hour every remaining elf that could had assembled in the center of the village. There was chatting as elves asked each other what was happening and why Tam had come back. Then all became dead silent as Mat stepped up onto a large stump. “Good afternoon. I’m sure you’re wondering what this is about. Well, as you may know, Tam Al’Thor has returned.” There was a slight angry murmur at these words and Mat waited for silence. “I know that Tam didn’t leave us at a good time, but before you judge him please listen to his story. After that I ask that you be prepared to vote for or against his request.” With that Mat stepped down, motioning for Tam to go ahead. Tam took a deep breath and climbed up.
“First, I would like to give every one of you my deepest apologies for leaving. It was the height of folly and I would understand if not a single one of you ever forgives me. That being said, please let me explain what happened and what I ask.” With that Tam told them his tale as he had told Mat, showing them both his orb and his mark. “And so,” he said when he finished with finding the elven camp. “I come asking for elves to accompany me to meet with the nations and to fight for Gorgraz. I understand that you will wish to discuss this. I will now go to the tent I have been given to stay in and let Mat discuss this with you. I simply ask that a decision be made in time for me and possibly the other elves to leave tomorrow morning.” Having said this Tam hopped down and walked to his tent.
~~~
An hour and a half later Tam sat on the cot in his tent, still waiting for the Erodaen to reach a decision. Coming back to his people had stirred up a lot of old memories and he was lost in them. He was remembering the days before the fall of Kalor and The Erodaen nation. Before the battle of Outlance, where the elven army was decimated. Before the orcs and Fabian elves had ravaged the Erodaen forest, massacring the remaining peoples. Before Tam had helped King Tamathar lead the shattered remains of the Erodaen into hiding. Back when he was struggling to form alliances with nations that had been fighting evil elves instead of fighting for survival. He thought of first time he had gone to Kalor and met the queen. From there he began replaying buying his brother’s blowgun from the vendor and his wonderment of finding a link to his past the Kalorian capitol. Then his thoughts darkened as he thought of his misaligned transport after buying the weapon and his subsequent capture and release by that… Tam started as he realized where he had seen the creature from the cave before…. It was the vampire that had captured him. He chuckled at the irony.
Tam grabbed his pack and dug out the stone he had found after waking released by the vampire. He stared into the calming swirling red and blue pattern as he had done many times over the years…. Part of the reason he had never sold it. He heard a sudden swelling of discussion outside and looked up so quickly the stone slipped out of his hand and landed on the ground with a thud…… and THEN a crack. Befuddled, Tam looked down to see a crack in the stone. But I heard it crack AFTER it fell. Tam then stared in amazement as with another snapping noise the crack grew bigger. A Tam continued to watch open-mouthed as the “stone” that he had carried for years slowly opened and released a small creature that promptly began stumbling around and making quiet screeching noises. It had the head and chest of a snowy eagle but the back end and tail of a lion. Respectively, its front two legs matched and eagle while its back legs were that of a lion. To top it off, it had an eagle’s wings. From its beak to the base of its tail was probably about a foot with a wingspan of slightly longer. Tam slowly began to recognize what had come out of his stone, or egg he supposed it must have really been. It was one of the legendarily rare gryphons.
Tam was startled out of his wonderment when the thing jumped/ fluttered onto the bed and came over to him screeching demandingly. Tam chuckled and pulled out some pack rations which the gryphon quickly devoured. It hopped down and began exploring the tent. Tam watched it with interest, studying the creature’s movements, which were quickly becoming less clumsy and more fluid. He was interrupted however when the tent flap was shoved aside. With alarming quickness, the gryphon sprinted and hid behind Tam legs, peeking out at the elf that had just entered the tent.
“Mat sent me to summon you, sir,” the elf said impersonally, looking curiously and the gryphon. “The…. the meeting is over and he wishes to speak with you by the stump.”
“Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes… yes sir,” the elf replied. He hesitated a second, seemingly torn between his manners and his curiosity, then hurriedly left. Tam stood and began to leave but stopped when the gryphon began to follow him. After studying each other for a moment Tam relented. “Well, it’s not like you have any other place to go. Come on, just don’t cause trouble.”
~~~
Mat met Tam eagerly, but hesitated when he saw the gryphon. “What’s that? Actually, knowing you, never mind, I don’t want to know. I got some good news.”
“What? Did you decide to give aid?”
“Well, first, the village has pardoned you for leaving after a lengthy speech from one of the elder about your brother. Second, we are giving you 25 elves formerly of the white brotherhood, each with a warrior to help them, to take to this battle. I know it’s not much, but it’s all we can spare.”
Tam smiled for the first time in what seemed like ages. “That’s a great deal more than I expected. When will they be ready to leave?”
“You leave at first light.” Mat seemed to remember something. “Hey, follow me. I’ve got something for you.” Mat lead Tam (and the gryphon) to Mat’s tent where he pulled a chest out from under the bed and indicate for Tam to open it. Inside was a set of black monazite (a magical metal that is a strong as plate but with the flexibility of leather) armor, with a neatly folded tabard on top displaying a flaming jewel with a sword sticking through it. Tam slowly picked up the tabard. “…My battle gear…. I thought you all would throw it away when I left like that.”
“Well, they did, but the king ordered me to secret it away. He thought you’d come back. You should take it….. you’ll need it where you’re going.” Mat suddenly became serious. “Just make sure that you help the Erodaen after you get back. We really actually need those men that you’re taking. We’ll be hard pressed without them.”
Tam set down his tabard before answering with equal gravity. “I know. But if the nations lose this battle, we won’t have a chance. I will bring them back.” Tam’s mood suddenly became lighter. “But forget that. We have things to do.”
~~~
The rest of the afternoon was filled with preparations. Tam oversaw the company in getting ready. He moved back and forth through the camp giving them various instructions with the gryphon following him all the way. Surprisingly, it kep up despite its size….. even the few time Tam broke into a jog.
That evening they had a large dinner to send off the company (kind of like a feast except the elves don’t have enough resources for a true feast). After eating they went through the traditional ceremonies for sending men off to battle as best they could with what they had. At the end of the night Tam went to bed feeling more at peace than he had in a long time, the gryphon curled up and the end of the cot.\
~~~
And so, in the early gray predawn of the next morning, 51 elves and a gryphon set off to join the largest battle since Outlance….
Merging with The Field of Full Spectrum