The Elves of Elm StreetThe directions given by Gavin to Elm street are easy to follow, and barely 15 minutes later, they have pretty much crossed most of the town, passing by a street filled with furniture makers and wood carvers, before coming to a wide street with a single Elm tree growing at one end. This is the first piece of greenery that they've really seen since they entered the city in fact. Nearer the tree end of the street, the group spot their destination. On the side of the street, two elves are busy at their craft. One of them deftly shaving thin slivers of wood from what would no doubt become a long bow in due course, its shape already very much apparent. Nearby, sat at a stool, his legs splayed to either side of his work, an elven fletcher was busy preparing arrows - his nimble fingers gluing feathers to a set of prepared shafts and his tools and materials spread around.
The elf working on the bow says something, nodding in the direction of the group approaching, long before they came into earshot and the pair paused in their work as the four adventurers walked up.
Ceely approaches the two elves. Respectfully she nods at each. "Greetings, Gavin the Dwarf suggested we visit you. He spoke highly of your craftmanship and we are interested in purchasing quality arms."
The
elf with the bow allows a faint smile to cross his lips as the dwarf's name
is mentioned. "Ah, you've met the Realm's most flamboyant dwarf then!"
he says, his voice soft with an almost musical tone to it. His oval green
eyes take in the long bow and two quivers on her back. "I'm guessing
you're interested in restocking arrows" he says, inclining his head
towards his companion to indicate that he would be able to help her.
The
other elf also smiles gently. He stands, stretching for a moment then steps
forward to greet Ceely, extending his hand. "I am Windstrider, my companion
is known as Truebow." He nods a greeting towards Ceely's companions
as well. "If you are looking for a replacement bow, then Truebow can
provide. Replacement arrows, are my speciality." His voice also has
the almost musical quality of the elves, and Ceely is reminded for a moment
of her all-too-short time with her father in the wilds around Neverwinter.
As he shakes Ceely's hand, his eyes are drawn down, and for a moment, he stares at the sigils peeking out from under Ceely's sleeve. A frown crosses his forehead. "You must be one of the Unknowns" he says. "You have a long journey ahead of you I suspect." he adds.
Suddenly Luc is alerted to the fact that the Elves know of them... he presses forward with his right shoulder trying to look intimidating as he asks, "hey how do you know of us?"
Windstrider takes a step back as Lucretia muscles his way forward, demanding to know how the elves had heard of the Unknowns. "News of the sigil bearers came from Silverymoon several weeks back" he stammers in response.
The other elf also stands, scowling at Lucretia. "There is no need for that tone" he admonishes.
Luc stands his ground as he says, "news travels fast I see... and what have you heard? and more importantly what do you know?" he then mumbles to himself, "looks like everyone knows more than we do..."
Vaslin lays her hand on Luc's arm and whispers to him, "Luc, we are here to buy arrows, not upset the bower and Fletcher. You questions are fine but you tone is not. I want to know what they know as well but you are not encouraging them to speak to us. Let me try."
As always these days, Vaslin's touch is the medicine to Luc's anger. His shoulders relax, as he takes a half step back standing next to Vaslin to let her do the talking. He still eyes the elves warily even though his stance is apparently more relaxed.
The half elf cleric turns to the to the elves who had stood and backed away from Luc's rather aggressive tone. "I am Vaslin, Cleric of Tymora. Please forgive Luc's tone of voice. We are all desirous of discovering. We know nothing about these sigils. We are driven to move on, and can rarely stay in one place for more than a couple days. We don't know why or where our final destination will be. Of course we are interested on any information you might have and would very mush like you to consider telling us what you know. But first, Ceely and I need arrows, and I would also like to look at the bows. Ceely, you first."
Upon hearing the elf's comment about the Sigils, Dorn too wanted to try a little forceful tact to see what the eles knew. That was the problem with some elves, they act like everyone knows what they know. Getting ready to take Luc's side and get the elves to talk, Dorn saddens a bit when Vaselin steps in and with no one to side with the dwarf, Dorn simply steps back as well and mumbles, "Fine, let's let the lass handle things."
Windstrider looks a little relieved as Vaslin intervenes and Lucretia steps back, though he still answers Lucretia's question, speaking slowly and deliberately. "I have heard much and know little" he answers somewhat cryptically. "I have heard of a group travelling under the unusual name of 'The Unknowns', bearing a curse in the form of animated sigils. That these sigils represent powerful people. That these sigils spurn you to seek these people out." He shrugs slightly, simultaneously stretching his fingers wide for a moment with his palms downwards - an unfamiliar gesture to non-elves.
"What I know is that an ah-dahn seeks you out in the city, and that you will need to travel through the Mistmaster's domain." The strange elvish word means nothing to Lucretia or Dorn, but both Vaslin and Ceely recognise it as a word used to mean man or perhaps non-true-elf.
The other elf remains silent whilst his companion speaks, though continues to stare at Lucretia, obviously not trusting the warrior to necessarily contain his agression.
As Windstrider finishes, Truebow smoothly picks up, answering the next question he could see forming in the minds of the travellers. "The Mistmaster is an elf-friend who looks after the north-eastern part of the High Forest" says the elf, as if that explained everything.
Considering the topic closed, he turns to Vaslin. "Perhaps you could tell me what sort of bow you are interested in?" he asks, whilst Windstrider helps your companion with her arrows.
Vaslin smiles at the bower, "I use a Short bow, though I would like one that provides more punch. As was mentioned we walk a long dangerous road." She moves over with the elf to where the bows were displayed.
Truebow leads Vaslin towards the building behind them. "I do not hold many bows in stock that are enchanted - the wizards who perform the enchantments tend to charge a lot of money, and although my companion considers holding stocks of enchanted arrows a worth while investment, we cannot afford to have a large number of unsold enchanted bows."
Entering the building, Vaslin sees that there are a huge number of beautiful bows on display on one wall. The elf looks at them proudly. "All of these would serve you extremely well, though none of them are enchanted with magic I'm afraid. He moves to a pedestal where three different bows rest. "These are the only enchanted bows I actually keep in stock however" he explains. "Each has the same mild enchantment on them to ensure the arrows it fires are more likely to hit their target, and are otherwise identical to the various differnet bows you can see around." Vaslin can see three shortbows. One a normal one, and two composite ones of varying strength.
Vaslin Speaks up. "Honestly I do not have the money for magic on a bow. So the best I can do is a better bow with more damage."
"Perhaps this one then" says Truebow, picking one of the composite bows off the wall. He passes it to Vaslin, who finds that she can just about pull it. "This would cost you 150 gold."
Still not feeling easy about the elves knowing about them, but not revealing much Luc grows impatient as he says, "come on ladies... we've still got a lot more to do!"
Vaslin looks over towards Luc, he was impatient, even though Ceely and she had not wasted any time before getting down to their shopping "Luc, you may be still put out and I am sorry but Windstrider told us what he knew. I believe him on that. There is not reason for him to lie about that or withhold information. Besides, when had e you become so distrusting of everyone we meet. There are good people in the world.."
Vaslin went on to examine several short bows that Truebow had led her to. Unfortunately the one that would give her greater damage due to its draw strength was too strong for her currently. She had hoped that she would be up to the higher draw strength but after trying a dew knew that if she use one she use it her accuracy would suffer. It was disappointing, but she would have to wait until she could afford magic or improved her strength.
"Truebow, these are beautiful bows" Vaslin says as she lays foen the last bow she had tried out. However, I am not strong enough for the a higher pull strength bow I want, and there lower one just duplicate what I have already." Vaslin said truthfully. I will just have to wait. I do thank you for showing me them."
"I wish I had enough for one of your bows, Truebow. Perhaps when our journey is concluded I will be able to come back for one. I am curious though, about what it is like living is a Dwarven community." Vaslin started a non-business discussion trying to get the two elves talking. She wondered if they had noticed anything or felt anything perhaps a change in the atmosphere.
MEANWHILE:
As Truebow starts to speak to Vaslin about bows, the fletcher elf turns
to a large basket of arrows, also assuming the conversation was moving to
the transaction stage. "How many arrows do you desire?" he asks
Ceely, plucking an arrow of just the right length for Ceely's bow and passing
it to her as a sample. It is everything an arrow should be - straight, light,
the tip and feathers firmly attached with the former razor sharp.
Ceely smiles. "Arrows, depending on the cost as much as 60 and if there are some that have been magiced, that's even better" She said looking at the arrows, feeling the shaft. Looking down the length of the arrow to judge the quality.
"Sixty?" The elf raises an eyebrow at Ceely's request. "I'm guessing those quivers hold more than they appear!" he replies with a smile. He gestures towards the basket. "These normal arrows will cost 3 gold for sixty" he explains, "but I do have some that have been, um magiced" he says with a smile. "In fact, I have three types of enchanted arrows. One that has been enchanted to be especially potent against orcs. Since orcs are the bane of civilised life in these parts!" he adds, "and two that are merely enchanted to fly straighter and faster to greater and lesser extent." He shrugs, holding out his hands in a helpless gesture. "They are unfortunately pretty expensive - it would cost many thousands of gold to purchase a sheaf of them. 18,000 gold for the orc bane or the powerfully enchanted arrows!" Seeing Ceely's reaction he smiles. "The mildly enchanted ones only cost 2,000gp though" he concludes.
"Ceely," Vaslin calls out, "Can you get Cleo 50 arrows of this length, please? Masterwork, If they will improve her ability, and darkwood, if they have it." Vaslin holds out the arrow Cleo gave her to check for the right length.
Ceely asks for the enchanted arrows, all that she can afford. Once the deed is done, she will store them in her new bag then speak to the elves about what Cleo needs. "Vas, Cleo gave you the money for it, right?"
"Here it is," Vaslin replies as she holds out the long arrow that fits Cleo's long draw length.
The elf shrugs lightly as the two exit the shop into the street again. "The dwarves stay below ground in Sundbarr for the most part - it is the humans who tend to dominate Sundabar, this surface city." He waves a hand vaguely at the grim looking buildings around them.
Sighing briefly, he continues. "'Tis true, my brother and I are unusual in that we make a human city our home - and spend more time than perhaps we would like amongst these grey walls rather than amongst the trees of the High Forest, but our work here, producing the simple bow and arrow, all helps towards keeping the orc hordes at bay."
He shrugs again, as if spending years of his life away from his homeland is nothing - which to the long lived elves is probably exactly that. "One day we will return to the High Forest and our kin to stay, rather than just the occasional visit" he says, a slight far-away look in his eyes.
Cocking his head, a faint smile crosses his lips. "And perhaps you will see some of them when you pass beyond the Mistmaster's domain" he says. "When do you leave Sundabar to continue your journey?" he asks with mild curiocity.
Ceely listens to the elves speak, nodding in understanding. "I miss the sea when I am in dark places of the realm." She said then smile at the elves. "Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard" she added.
"We get uncomfortable if we stay too long in any place. These sigils only allow at the most a couple of days. We are hoping to push it a perhaps a half a day day more but since we have a lot we need to get Some of us have ordered things that will take a few days. But I have to say that is pushing the limit of staying in one place." Vaslin tried to keep her answered to be the simple truth and nothing more.
Vaslin kept Truebow's, words in her head. "And perhaps you will see some of them when you pass beyond the Mistmaster's domain."
"If you would like to send any sort of messages to anyone. I will try to carry to them or at least to someone who can see them on. Just clearly name them and add their location. I can pick them up sometime tomorrow," Vaslin offers the two elves, feeling a pang of sympathy for them. They are so far from their home and the High Forest. Even she sometimes felt that same yearning to be in the peace and renewing powers of the forest. For a moment her eyes turned inward and lost focus. Would these sigils even let her rest or would she die on this quest never to return to her home. Vaslin shook her head a bit and then focused on the two elves. "I would be glad to do with for you."
The elf smiles in gratitude of Vaslin's offer, but shakes his head. "Thanks, but there is no need for that" he says.
"Sounds like you'll still be here for the festival tomorrow" comments Windstrider, hearing Vaslin mention hanging around for a couple of days.
Ceely looked at the pair. "Tell me about the festival" She said to them. "Do others from outside of Sundabar come for it?"
Truebow snorts. "More of a fete than a festival. Fuzzy Animal Day" he says, a slight tone of disdain in his voice. "Just an excuse for humans to drink on the street" he adds as if by way of explaination.
"Fuzzy animal day? I have never heard of such a thing. It seems to be a strange festival that only honors on sort of animal. Something there is no understanding humans."
While Dorn wasn't big on honoring fuzzy animals, he was quite enthused about drinking. As such, the dwarven fighter perked up as he says, "This Fuzzy Animal Day seems like quiet tha event. Where about in tha city is it gonna be celebrated? And more importantly, what kinda brews can be found there?"
Vaslin laughs good naturedly at Dorn's words. "That's our Dorn,he couldn't care a fig about fuzzy animals but any good excuse to drink is fine with him. Actually, truth be told even a poor excuse will will do as well." .
Luc lifts his brows as lines forms on his head... he didn't mind the drinking but he needed no festival for it.
He shrugs with his shoulders as he says, "It's probably something to do with the 'Lady of Joy'" he then continues in a more indifferent tone as he says, "Though we will be around for a couple of days, I don't believe we will be in the city for the celebrations." trying to discretely remind the others that they had all agreed to help out Milo in his quest outside the city. Also, that the others were probably waiting for them, since they still needed to discuss tactics before they went on their mission...
Vaslin turns to Luc. "Yes you are right we need to go and rejoin our companions. Truebow and Windstrider, thank you for the fruits of craftsmanship. We may have time for that festivlal, we may not. If all of us are ready we need to go."